Phase 1: So-called "wild burnings" as political street terror against Jews, socialists, communists and others. Immediately after the seizure of power by the National Socialists in March 1933. Until May 1933.

Phase 2: Student book burnings in the context of the "Action against the Un-German spirit". Around the 10th of May 1933

Phase 3: Non-student book burnings from May 1933. Inspired by the burnings of the Second Phases, numerous large-scale book burnings took place until October 1933 under the leadership of various local actors.