The Reichstag fire

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The Reichstag fire on February 27, 1933 arguably marked the true start of the Third Reich. The attack was used by the Nazis to consolidate their position, crush the Communists, and pass a series of dictatorial laws. The self-confessed culprit was Marinus van de Lubbe, a Dutch Communist sympathizer caught at the scene. Documents indicating his guilt were subsequently found to be forgeries, and the controversy has never been resolved. Many realized the Nazis had much to gain and may have staged the incident.