from Moonbattery:

Nazis came to power democratically, but consolidated control by exploiting the Reichstag Fire, which was probably set by a Dutch communist. Hitler strategically hyped it into a crisis, claiming that communists were on the verge of overthrowing the government. The supposed emergency led to the Reichstag Fire Decree, which cleared the path for dictatorship:

• Implemented one day after the fire, the decree suspended the right to assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and other constitutional protections, including all restraints on police investigations. It remained in effect until Nazi Germany was defeated in May 1945.