8. Social Policies: Religion

Question 1

Hitler’s public vs private views towards Christianity

Answer 1

Public (1933 speech in the Reichstag): “Christianity is the unshakeable foundation of the moral life of our people”
Private (private conversation in 1933): “You can either be German or Christian. You can’t be both”

Question 2

Nazi’s control of the Protestant Church

Answer 2

Nazi regime began to coordinate Evangelical Church in 1933 into a Reich Church under Nazi control
Victory of German Christians in 1933 Church Elections allowed them to ‘nazify’ the church

Question 3

What group opposed the Nazi’s control over the Protestant church?

Answer 3

The Confessional Church

Question 4

The Confessional Church

Answer 4

Group of dissident (opposers) pastors established a breakaway church
Supported by 5000 pastors
Established to resist state interference in the church

Question 5

1933 Concordat

Answer 5

Deal between the Vatican and the Nazi Government
Vatican recognised Nazi regime and promised not to interfere with its politics
Nazi regime agreed not to interfere with the Catholic Church in return

Question 6

When was the Concordat neglected by the Nazis?

Answer 6

1937 - it hadn’t been formally rejected but the Nazis ceased to honour it

Question 7

Who was the Pope?

Answer 7

Pope Pius XI

Question 8

What did the Pope do in response to the Nazi’s neglecting the Concordat in 1937?

Answer 8

Issued an encyclical called ‘With Burning Grief’ that directly opposed the Nazi regime

Question 9

Impact of the Pope’s 1937 encyclical

Answer 9

Nazi regime increased pressure on the Catholic Church
E.g. all Church schools had been converted into community schools by 1939

Question 10

What was the main aspect of the Nazi regime that the Catholic Church was against?

Answer 10

Euthanasia as it went against the Sanctity of Life