Catholicism & the Centre Party Flashcards
What was kulturkampf?
A policy of dicrimination aimed at the catholic church which they believed was impeding unity.
Why was there the belief that catholicism was impeding unity?
1864, the Catholic Church in Rome published the Syllabus of Errors which denounced liberalism and secularism. 1870, the Church made the Declaration of Papal Infallibility, which declared that the pope’s spiritual powers had authority over secular power. National Liberals opposed both these declarations because the declaration would undermine the hoped-for unity of the German nation, ultimately formed in 1871. If one-third of Germany’s population was more loyal to the pope and the Catholic Church in Rome than to the German nation, this was a threat to the national unity.
Actions surrounding the creation of the Centre Party
The Centre Party represented the interests of German Catholics. They had opposed the constitution of the German state when it was founded in 1871. The Centre Party had been formed in 1870 and aimed to protect the rights of the Catholic minority in Germany, who they believed could be under threat given the considerable Protestant majority in the new Germany. The rights of Catholics had been protected in Prussia by the constitution of 1850, the Centre Party sought to uphold this.
when was the Centre party created?
1870
what were the documents that had offended National liberals.
-The Syllabus of Errors (1864) which set out the Catholic Church’s stance on various philosophical and political questions.
-Declaration of Papal Infallibility (1870) asserted that the pope’s moral teachings were to be the guiding principle for all Catholics.
Who was Bismark suspicious of?
Bismark was concerned about Catholics & Catholic non-German ethnic groups within Germany, such as the Catholic Polish and the French of Alsace and Lorraine.
Why was bismark suspicious of Catholics & Non German-speaking Germans
Catholics had sided with Austria against Prussia in the war of 1866. Now the Church supported Polish language teaching and the autonomous desires of Alsace and Lorraine, as well as calling for a war against Germany’s ally Italy, in order to help the pope regain the lands lost when Italy unified as a nation in 1870.
What actions where taken Kulturkampf (linguistically)?
The suppression of all other languages except German was a key aspect of Bismark’s policy to unity all the German people and weaken non-German identities within the Reich. The speaking of Polish meant that this ethnic group retained a separate identity and Bismark felt it was important that the Polish youth were “Germanised”.
How did the Centre party develop and who did they gain popularity from?
The Centre Party was fast becoming the main party for those groups that opposed the German state. Not only Poles and Alsace-Lorrainers, but also Danish and Hanoverian Germans were growing in their support for the Centre Party. It was the main political voice for those who opposed the manner in which Germany had been unified under Prussian dominance.
What did Bismark do to try stop the popularity of the Centre Party before the policy of Kulturkampf?
He attempted to persuade the Vatican to withdraw its support for the Centre Party, but this was rejected.
The official establishment of Kulturkampf:
Laws were in place allowing inspections of Catholic schools and banning the Jesuit priestly order from Germany. In 1873, these laws were followed by the Prussia May Laws, which established state control over the Catholic Church in Germany among other laws. The state would have power over the education and appointment of priests.
What was the initial reaction to Kulturkampf laws?
The policies failed to achieve their goals, so a further wave of even more repressive measures was carried out.
What were the newer Kulturkampf measures?
Included the seizure of Church property, expulsion of clergy not appointed by the German state, and the introduction of the ‘Bread-Basket Law,’ cutting financial support for priests who didn’t publicly support the state. By 1879, around 1,800 priests had been jailed or exiled, and the state seized Church property valued at 16 million Reichsmarks. This period also saw violence, with the army intervening to disperse Catholic protests against these measures.
What was the final sentiment of Kulturkampf?
1879, the Kulturkampfhad essentially ended not being politically helpful. Bismarck was moving against National Liberals by the late 1870s so needed the support of the Centre Party to push through protectionist policies in the Reichstag.The Prussian Conservatives and the royal family also opposed the Kulturkampf. Therefore, the push for protectionist policies, alongside the ending of the Kulturkampfby the end of the 1870s was, for Bismarck, also an attempt to regain the support of the Kaiser and the Junkers. Overtime German Catholics became assimilated but their persecution was not forgotten.
Who was Pope Pius IX and what was his impact?
Pope Pius IX, who had strongly supported the Centre Party, died in 1878 and was replaced by Leo XIII. This new pope was much more willing to talk with the German government and find areas of compromise between the Church and the state.
Why was there a lack of nationalism- symbols, holidays ?
Lack of symbols that could unite the German people: there was no national flag, no national anthem and the national holiday that celebrated Germany’s defeat of France at the Battle of Sedan in 1870 was opposed by many. Southern states did not play a large role in the Battle of Sedan and preferred to celebrate the victories that they contributed to.
Additionally, many socialist politicians viewed the holiday as a celebration of Prussian militarism and refused to recognise the holiday.
How did Germany try to inspire nationalism?
Introduction of policies designed to create a national reichsdeutsche identity. Schools at all levels were required to teach nationalism, promoting the idea that the unification of Germany in 1871. The curriculum emphasized loyalty and obedience to the Kaiser, while regular street processions celebrated national victories. They aimed to create a homogeneous nation with shared nationalist values. Bismarck also pursued cultural nationalism aimed at minority groups, particularly the Polish, enforcing the teaching of German and accelerating policies in the late 1870s that included the expulsion of foreign Poles and Jews to reinforce this German identity.
Why did Bismark promote nationalism?
The promotion of German nationalism helped integrate Germans into the new nation and served Bismarck’s political purposes. He used the idea of Reichsfeinde (enemies of the empire) to rally public supports, both external (like France) and internal (such as the Catholic Church). This strategy aimed to unify the German people through a shared sense of threat while distracting from demands for democratic reform.
Example of Reichsfeinde (political event)
In 1878, after assassination attempts on Wilhelm I, Bismarck labeled socialism a threat, leading to anti-socialist laws that restricted socialist activities and aimed to strengthen support for conservative institutions among the middle class. Catholics and socialists were portrayed as threats to national unity due to their perceived disloyalty to the Kaiser and nationalist goals.
What were the effects of the national unity?
Bismarck successfully fostered national unity through nationalism for political gain, but this identity was heavily rooted in militarism, fear of enemies, and the promotion of German cultural superiority. Over the next two decades, this nationalism took on a more aggressive character, becoming a key factor in the conflicts of the 20th century.
