Christianity and the Nazis Flashcards
How was Germany’s Christians mainly divided?
-Around one third of Germans were Catholic (20 million people)
-Around two thirds of Germans were Protestant (40 million people)
Give 3 reasons why Christians supported the Nazis in early years:
-The Nazis said they believed in the importance of marriage, the family and moral values. Most Christians also believed this
-Christians feared communism because it was anti-religious, and Hitler promised to destroy communism
-Hitler promised to respect the Catholic Church
What did Hitler first do with Catholic leaders?
He agreed to cooperate with them.
What did Hitler sign with the Pope and when?
In 1933 he signed a Concordat (agreement) with the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, so that they would not interfere with each other.
What did Hitler begin to feel about German Catholics?
That they listened to the Pope more than him.
What did Hitler do when he felt the German Catholics were listening to the Pope more than him?
He harassed and arrested Catholic priests and closed down Catholic youth clubs.
What did the Pope issue in 1937 as relations had gotten so bad?
A statement called ‘With Burning Anxiety’, saying that the Nazis were ‘hostile to Christ and his Church’. This was read out in Catholic churches across Germany but had little affect.
Who was one of Germany’s best known religious leaders?
Catholic Archbishop Galen.
What did Archbishop Galen criticise the Nazis on and when?
In August 1941, Galen openly criticised the Nazis for their use of terror tactics, euthanasia and concentration camps.
What happened as a result of Galen’s criticism of the Nazis?
He was put under house arrest until the end of the war.
Who were ‘German Christians’?
Some Protestants who admired Hitler for his views on marriage and moral values, and wanted to see their Church under Nazi control.
Who was the leader of ‘German Christians’?
Ludwig Muller.
What did Ludwig Muller become and when?
He became Reich Bishop in September 1933.
What did German Christians often wear?
Nazi uniforms.
What slogan did German Christians use?
‘The swastika on our chests and the Cross in our hearts’.
Why did some Protestants hate the support German Christians were giving Hitler?
As they felt that the core Nazi beliefs were totally opposed to those of Christianity.
What new Protestant group was formed?
The Confessional Church.
Who led the Confessional Church?
Pastor Martin Niemoller
What did the Confessional Church do?
They openly criticised the Nazis.
What 3 things did the Nazis do in response to the Confessional Church?
-Arrested around 800 pastors
-Niemoller was sent to a concentration camp
-The Confessional Church was banned
What 4 Nazi beliefs oppose what 4 Christian beliefs?
-Nazism thought strength and violence were glorious, Christians believe in love and forgiveness
-Nazism hated the weak and vulnerable, Christianity helped the weak and vulnerable
-Nazism believed some races were superior to others, Christianity believes all people are equal in God’s eyes
-Nazism believe Hitler to be a God-like figure, Christianity believe in God and the teachings of Jesus Christ
How much of what religious group were killed in concentration camps and why?
About one third of Jehovah Witnesses were killed in concentration camps because they were pacifists and refused to serve in the army.
What 3 other religious groups disappeared from Germany?
-The Salvation Army
-Christian Scientists
-The Seventh Day Adventist Church
What did the persecution and banning of religious groups show about Nazis in short?
That they tended to persecute anyone who didn’t put Nazism and Hitler at the centre of their beliefs.
