1. Why was the Reichstag set on fire in February 1933?

2. Learning objective – to be able to assess the reasons why the Reichstag was set on fire in 1933.
I can describe the key features of the Reichstag Fire.
Grade 6
I can explain why the Reichstag was set on fire in 1933.
Grade 3
I can explain and assess the impact of the Reichstag Fire of 1933.
Grade 1

3. Starter
This visual hexagon activity helps you make links between the different reasons why Hitler rose to power in 1933.
Stick a copy of the visual hexagon activity in your exercise book and write your links between each hexagon and write two sentences for each link explaining them fully.

10. Knowledge task
Outline the importance of the following in the burning of the Reichstag in February Remember to mention whether it was a cause or a consequence and key facts about each factor or event.
March 1933
Election
Hitler
Von Hindenburg SA
Smashing up printing presses
Hermann Goering
Marius van der Lubbe
Decree for the Protection of People and the State
Political parties have to give notice

11. Source task
Cut out the source below and stick it into your exercise book. What can you infer from this source?
Source A
Hitler was standing on a balcony gazing at the red ocean of fire. He swung round towards us … his face had turned quite scarlet with the excitement …. Suddenly he started screaming at the top of his voice ‘Now we will show them! Anyone who stands in our way will be mown down. The German people have been too soft for too long. Every communist official must be shot. All friends of the Communists must be locked up. And that goes for the Social Democrats too!’
From the memoirs of Rudolf Diels, Head of the Prussian Police in 1933, writing in 1950