The Burning of the Reichstag: The History of the Controversial Fire That Led to the Rise of Nazi Germany

by Charles River Editors

*Includes pictures*Discusses the mysteries surrounding who started the fire and whether the Nazis were responsible*Includes a bibliography for further reading*Includes a table of contents“These sub-humans do not understand how the people stand at our side. In their mouse-holes, out of which they now want to come, of course they hear nothing of the cheering of the masses.” – Hitler speaking about Communists as the Reichstag burned “I don't care what happens in Russia! I know that the Russians pay with bills, and I should prefer to know that their bills are paid! I care about the Communist Party here in Germany and about Communist crooks who come here to set the Reichstag on fire!” – Hermann GoeringThe early 1930s were a tumultuous period for German politics, even in comparison to the ongoing transition to the modern era that caused various forms of chaos throughout the rest of the world. In the United States, reliance on the outdated gold standard and an absurdly parsimonious monetary policy helped bring about the Great Depression. Meanwhile, the Empire of Japan began its ultimately fatal adventurism with the invasion of Manchuria, alienating the rest of the world with the atrocities it committed. Around the same time, Gandhi began his drive for the peaceful independence of India through nonviolent protests against the British.It was in Germany, however, that the strongest seeds of future tragedy were sown. The struggling Weimar Republic had become a breeding ground for extremist politics, including two opposed and powerful authoritarian the right-wing National Socialists and the left-wing KPD Communist Party. As the 1930s dawned, these two totalitarian groups held one another in a temporary stalemate, enabling the fragile ghost of democracy to continue a largely illusory survival for a few more years. That stalemate was broken in dramatic fashion on a bitterly cold night in late February 1933, and it was the Nazis who emerged decisively as the victors. A single act of arson against the famous Reichstag building proved to be the catalyst that propelled Adolf Hitler to victory in the elections of March 1933, which set the German nation irrevocably on the path towards World War II. That war would plunge much of the planet into an existential battle that ultimately cost an estimated 60 million lives. Given its importance, the burning of the Reichstag has been viewed as a turning point in history, but the mystery over who was actually responsible still lingers. Officially, a German court convicted and executed a Dutch Communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, and the Nazis would rail against the fire as a Communist plot in the ensuing weeks. Van der Lubbe claimed at trial that he acted alone, and many Communists accused the Nazis of conducting the fire as a false flag operation, but in any case, in the wake of the fire, Communists across Germany were purged, allowing Hitler and the Nazis to strengthen their hold on political power. The Burning of the The History of the Controversial Fire That Led to the Rise of Nazi Germany analyzes the notorious fire that helped usher in the Nazis’ rise to power in Germany. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Reichstag fire like never before, in no time at all.

Genres: World War II, History

63 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 30, 2014

About the author

Charles River Editors is an independent publisher of thousands of ebooks on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Apple iBookstore & provider of original content for third parties.

Reviews

[Marcos Kopschitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read some "Charles River" books, I am getting used to them. They usually produce a very good account of the subject, with a good selection of sources and some photos, images or maps. I read one of their books on a subject I had read a lot about before, and being very satisfied with that one, I took it as a standard.

Their books are not to be expected as complete, comprehensive works, but lean more toward a good overall short account. Choose one if the subject is new to you or you want a good overview. They appeal to me as good introductions, or if I have no intention of reading long works on a specific theme. That said, I like them and think they're very effective in providing good information as well as a good read.

Having read quite a lot on WW II and its time over the years, as well as having seen all those movies, one might come to think he's at least heard about most of what there is to know. So, it is interesting to find something new, just as was the case of "The Monuments Men" book and movie. Some "Charles River" books, including this one and those listed below provide good information on earlier developments of the Nazi regime, and then on the final moves before the outbreak of war:

1. (1923) The Beer Hall Putsch: The History and Legacy of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party's Failed Coup Attempt in 1923 - 54 pages
2. (1933) The Burning of the Reichstag - 55 pages
3. (1934) The Night of the Long Knives: The History and Legacy of Adolf Hitler's Notorious Purge of the SA - 46 pages
4. (1938) The Munich Agreement of 1938: The History of the Peace Pact that Failed to Prevent World War II - 69 pages
5. (1938) Kristallnacht: The History and Legacy of Nazi Germany's Most Notorious Pogrom - 48 pages

They are listed in chronological order of the events but might be read otherwise. I have also reviewed these.

This is a short account but goes straight to important points and quotes well known sources such as William Shirer. If you have heard about the burning but can't quite clearly remember whether or not the responsibility for it was ever established, the known facts are here and there is good overall analysis. I would highlight:

- the fact that there is well documented information remaining;
- the highly violent action methods of the Nazi party to grab full power in the aftermath of the fire;
- the destination of one of the eventually acquitted who came to use the same Nazi "methods" elsewhere.

[Krisley Freitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texto bem interessante, inicialmente aborda a construção do Reichstag, descrevendo o prédio e seus arredores. Na sequência resume a situação política no início de 1933 até o incêndio.

O relato os acontecimentos do dia 27 de fevereiro de 1933 são bem detalhados, falando sobre as condições climáticas, expediente dos funcionários, localização e reação dos principais nomes do governo, citações de testemunhas e documentos oficiais.

As questões da autoria do incêndio são muito bem debatidas, explicando detalhes técnicos e possibilidades.

O livro encerra com as consequências políticas e o julgamento do Marinus van der Lubbe e dos comunistas.

Boa leitura, trazendo informações mais específicas que normalmente não aparecem nos livros sobre o nazismo.

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok if you want a basic overview