Overview: It is 1933 and Adolf Hitler is the chancellor of Germany, but he does not have absolute power as there is still a democratic parliament, a head of state and the rule of law. Hitler calls a general election to increase Nazi representation, but a fire in the Reichstag building is blamed on communists – prompting thousands of arrests of left-wingers. Hitler then calls on President von Hindenburg to act and a decree is passed giving the Nazis emergency powers to ban free speech and the right to protest.