Write an account of the Reichstag Fire (15)
Paper 42 style answer Part a
🟦 Paragraph 1: Context In January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. However, his position was still weak, as the Nazi Party did not hold a majority in the Reichstag (German parliament). Hitler was determined to increase his power and eliminate political opponents, especially the Communists (KPD), who were one of his main rivals. The atmosphere in Germany was tense, with increasing street violence. Hitler needed an excuse to justify tough action against opposition groups and to sway public opinion in favour of the Nazis.
🟦 Paragraph 2: The Events On the night of 27 February 1933, the Reichstag building was set on fire in Berlin. A Dutch communist named Marinus van der Lubbe was found inside and arrested. He confessed to starting the fire, though many historians believe the Nazis may have been involved or exploited the situation. Hitler and the Nazi leadership claimed it was the start of a communist uprising and used it as a propaganda tool to stir public fear. They immediately blamed the Communist Party and demanded emergency powers to protect the nation.
🟦 Paragraph 3: Immediate OutcomesThe very next day, President Hindenburg signed the Reichstag Fire Decree at Hitler’s request. This suspended key civil liberties such as freedom of speech, assembly, and the press. It also allowed the police to arrest and imprison people without trial. As a result, thousands of communists were arrested and their newspapers banned, effectively eliminating the KPD as a political force. This helped Hitler in the March 1933 election, where the Nazis increased their vote share. Most importantly, it paved the way for the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler full dictatorial power.
Paper 42 style answer Part a
🟦 Paragraph 1: Context In January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. However, his position was still weak, as the Nazi Party did not hold a majority in the Reichstag (German parliament). Hitler was determined to increase his power and eliminate political opponents, especially the Communists (KPD), who were one of his main rivals. The atmosphere in Germany was tense, with increasing street violence. Hitler needed an excuse to justify tough action against opposition groups and to sway public opinion in favour of the Nazis.
🟦 Paragraph 2: The Events On the night of 27 February 1933, the Reichstag building was set on fire in Berlin. A Dutch communist named Marinus van der Lubbe was found inside and arrested. He confessed to starting the fire, though many historians believe the Nazis may have been involved or exploited the situation. Hitler and the Nazi leadership claimed it was the start of a communist uprising and used it as a propaganda tool to stir public fear. They immediately blamed the Communist Party and demanded emergency powers to protect the nation.
🟦 Paragraph 3: Immediate OutcomesThe very next day, President Hindenburg signed the Reichstag Fire Decree at Hitler’s request. This suspended key civil liberties such as freedom of speech, assembly, and the press. It also allowed the police to arrest and imprison people without trial. As a result, thousands of communists were arrested and their newspapers banned, effectively eliminating the KPD as a political force. This helped Hitler in the March 1933 election, where the Nazis increased their vote share. Most importantly, it paved the way for the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler full dictatorial power.
