The+Reichstag

=The Reichstag= by Josh Yargeau

The [|Reichstag] began being constructed June 9th, 1884. The architect in charge was [|Paul Wallot.] The building was completed 10 years later and opened in the same year. The purpose of the building was to act as the German parliament. Over the years the Reichstag was able to fufil this function as it was used as parliament for the [|German Empire], [|Weimar Republic], and [|Nazi Germany].The word Reichstag comes from the Holy Roman Empire. The word mainly refers to “building”. After WWII the building became unused due to the fire. Eventually, in 1961 the building underwent partial renovation until it was considered “bearable”. Then in 1992 full restoration of the building was led by international architect Norman Foster. The construction was complete in 1999 and the Reichstag is now the 2nd most visited tourist attraction in Germany.

= Fire in The Reichstag  =

The Reichstag fire was an attack on the Reichstag building in Berlin on February 27th, 1933. It is seen as a crucial moment of the formation of Nazi Germany.[|Adolf Hitler] viewed the fire as proof of a plot by the [|communists] to take over the government. The Berlin fire department received a call that the German Parliament was in flames. When the firefighters and police had arrived The Session Chamber (where the flames first started) and The Chamber of Deputies was already enveloped by the fire. When the police searched the building a Dutch communist named [|Marinus van der Lubbe] was found. He was arrested with setting fire to the Reichstag. Hitler used this to fuel his campaign against communism. The investigation for the Reichstag fire continued and in March 1933 three men were arrested and were suspected to play a role in the “Reichstag Fire Trial” also known as the [|Leipzig Trial]. [|Georgi Dimitrov], Vasil Tanev and [|Blagoi Popov] were the three Bulgarians that were arrested and suspected in the setting of the Reichstag Fire. The liability of the arrests for the fire still remains a topic of discussion.

=After The Final Flames=

Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor on January 30th, 1933. This was done four weeks before the fire. However after the fire Hitler asked current [|President Hindenburg] todissolve parliament and call a new election. He aimed to dispel all communist parties and get a secure position for the [|National Socialist German Workers Party] as a majority government. After the fire he urged Hindenburg to sign an emergency decree called the [|Enabling Act]. This was done March 23rd, 1933. When Hindenburg gave Hitler these powers everyone’s civil liberties were suspended and there were many mass communist arrests (including communist party delegates). With the Communist Party Delegates arrested, their seats were available for the taking. The Nazi Party had a majority government soon after. The Elections established this position and allowed Hitler to take power.

=Resources=

= = Reichstag (building)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 06 Dec. 2012. Web. 12 June 2012. "Reichstag Fire." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 06 Dec. 2012. Web. 12 June 2012.