How strong was Hitler’s position in 1933 Study the photo and the facts about Hitler & the Nazis in How powerful was Hitler? What would he need to do in order to survive? Hindenburg & Von Papen appointed Hitler as a ‘puppet’ chancellor Only 2 Nazis in Cabinet Nazis largest single party, but didn’t have overall majority in Reichstag Prodigy
Who was to blame for the Reichstag fire? To assess what Hitler could gain from the Fire To analyse the reliability of accounts the Reichstag Fire (27 th Feb 1933) Aims Key words: Reichstag arsonist incendiary
Your task Read about the events surrounding the Reichstag Fire of March 1933 in SHO, p.63. Make a note of the ways in which before & after the fire Hitler increased his grip on power How far was Hitler responsible for increasing his grip on power – who else shares the blame?
Hitler increases his power Hitler appointed Chancellor (Jan 1933) Hitler appointed Chancellor (Jan 1933) Calls new elections Calls new elections Nazi-controlled police used to break up political meetings during the elections Nazi-controlled police used to break up political meetings during the elections Hermann Goering ordered Prussian police to ‘cover’ for SA & police who used firearms against Nazi opponents Hermann Goering ordered Prussian police to ‘cover’ for SA & police who used firearms against Nazi opponents Hindenburg passed decree suspending Constitution Hindenburg passed decree suspending Constitution
How did Hitler exploit the Reichstag fire? Dutch Communist, van der Lubbe Dutch Communist, van der Lubbe Police imprisoned 4,000 Communist activists Police imprisoned 4,000 Communist activists 28 Feb, Hindenburg suspended freedom of speech & gave police emergency powers 28 Feb, Hindenburg suspended freedom of speech & gave police emergency powers March 1933 NSDAP gained 288 seats; won support of Nationalists & Catholic Centre party; abolished Communists March 1933 NSDAP gained 288 seats; won support of Nationalists & Catholic Centre party; abolished Communists Why might some historians suggest van der Lubbe was framed?
Your task Read through the sources, decide which theory they support and explain why: Read through the sources, decide which theory they support and explain why: 1. Van der Lubbe started the fire and was acting alone 1. Van der Lubbe started the fire and was acting alone 2. Van der Lubbe was acting as part of a Communist plot 2. Van der Lubbe was acting as part of a Communist plot 3. Nazis started the fire themselves 3. Nazis started the fire themselves Give each source a reliability rating (out of 5) and explain why you have reached your decision Give each source a reliability rating (out of 5) and explain why you have reached your decision Write a paragraph explaining who you think was responsible for the fire. Use evidence to support your opinion. Write a paragraph explaining who you think was responsible for the fire. Use evidence to support your opinion.
Report Write a police report on who was to blame. Include the following: Write a police report on who was to blame. Include the following: Brief description of build up to Fire Brief description of build up to Fire Key suspects Key suspects Assessment of reliability of evidence gathered Assessment of reliability of evidence gathered Judgement on who was to blame Judgement on who was to blame
Success criteria Needs improvingGetting betterWow factor Includes a limited number of bullet points Describes key events of the Fire Refers to all bullet points Analyses the sources but could do so in greater depth, e.g. NOP Beginning to have the ‘look & feel’ of a police report Explains all 4 bullet points: brief description of build up to Fire; key suspects; assessment of reliability of evidence gathered; judgement on who was to blame Analyses the sources fully according to NOP Looks and feels like a police report from the time
Who was to blame for the Reichstag fire? To assess what Hitler could gain from the Fire To analyse the reliability of accounts the Reichstag Fire (27 th Feb 1933) Aims Key words: Reichstag arsonist incendiary