Reichstag Fire

The Reichstag Fire was a pivotal event in 1933 when the German parliament building, the Reichstag, was set on fire. Nazi officials quickly blamed communists, using the incident to justify strict new laws that suspended civil liberties and allowed for mass arrests of political opponents. Many historians believe the Nazis possibly orchestrated the fire to consolidate power, though claims are debated. The event marked a significant step in Adolf Hitler's rise to dictatorial authority, enabling the Nazi regime to weaken democracy and establish total control over Germany.