8.3 The Nazis and religion

Question 1

What was Germany’s main religion?

Answer 1

• Christianity
• 20 million Catholic and 40 million Protestant

Question 2

Why did Christians support the Nazis

Answer 2

• Nazis said they believed in the importance of marriage, family and moral values
• Christians feared communism because it was anti-religious, Hitler promised to destroy communism
• Hitler promised to respect the Catholic Church

Question 3

Did Hitler cooperate with Catholic leaders to begin with?

Answer 3

• yes
• signed a Concordat (agreement) with the Pope, saying they would not interfere with each other

Question 4

Did Hitler respect the Concordat?

Answer 4

• no
• he felt Catholics listened to the pope more than him
• he harassed and arrested Catholic priests and closed down Catholic youth clubs and schools