How did Hitler usurp power in Germany? Early in 1933, it was far from certain that the Nazis would remain in power for long and would be supported by the people. It was not Hitler’s charisma, but cunning, violence, and propaganda that paved the way to national power.

The second part of this series examines the exploitation of the Reichstag fire in 1933. With the aid of newly discovered sources, Hitler’s methods of abolishing democracy are being re-examined and retraced.