Reichstag Fire Decree

The Reichstag Fire Decree was a law passed by Nazi Germany in 1933 after the Reichstag building was set on fire. It allowed the government to take emergency measures, such as arresting political opponents and restricting civil liberties, without usual legal procedures. This decree effectively suppressed dissent and helped the Nazi Party consolidate power by limiting freedoms like free speech and assembly. It marked a significant step toward the authoritarian rule of Adolf Hitler, enabling the Nazis to eliminate opposition and establish a totalitarian state under the guise of national security.