Power and Authority in the Modern World – Consolidation of Nazi Power

Resource Description

SOURCE PRACTICE: Consolidation of Nazi Power

Source A: From account written in 1950s by Rudolph Diels, a Nazi and head of police in Berlin 1933.
I think van der Lubbe started the Reichstag Fire on his own. When I arrived at the burning building, some police officers were already questioning him. His voluntary confession made me think that he was such an expert arsonist that he did not need any helpers… He had lit several dozen fires using firelighters and his burning shirt, which he was holding in his right hand like a torch when he was overpowered by Reichstag officials.

Source B: From A. Bollock (1952) Hitler: A Study in Tyranny
Goering had been looking for an excuse to smash the communist party. He at once declared that can der Lubbe was only part of a large communist plot to start a campaign of terror. The burning of the Reichstag was to be the signal for communist revolt. In fact I believe that the buring of the Reichstag was planned and carried out by the Nazis themselves. Lubbe had been allowed to climb into the Reichstag and start fires on his own in part of the building while Nazis started the main fires.

Source C: From a radio broadcast by Goebbels, 1 July 1934
A short meeting and then Hitler’s mind was made up. He decided not to wait until the morning but to hunt down the conspirators who were led by Rohm and the SA, and destroy the plot immediately. We arrived at 7.00am. We were able to enter the house and surprised a band of conspirators who were asleep. We took them prisoners at once. With great courage, Hitler personally made the arrests.