The Reichstag building in Berlin was set on fire. Marinus van der Lubbe, a Dutch communist, was taken into custody for the crime and later executed. The Nazi government exploited the fire and declared a state of emergency.

Following inconclusive elections, President Hindenburg invited Hitler to become chancellor of Germany.

Hitler and the Nazi Party unsuccessfully tried to overthrow the Weimar Republic. This event became known as the Beer Hall Putsch.