How did the Nazis deal with Churches? Flashcards
What word best summarises the Nazis relationship with the Churches?
Complicated
What did Hitler sign with the Catholic Church in 1933?
A Concordat
What did the 1933 Concordat mean?
That Hitler would leave the Catholic Church alone. In return, the Church would stay out of politics.
What did Hitler try and unite all Protestant Churches under?
One official Reich Church
Who led the Reich Church?
Ludwig Muller
Did all Germans like the Reich Church?
No, many preferred their local church
How did the Nazis try and use the Reich Church?
They used a group called the ‘German Christians’ to try and promote Nazi ideas through the Reich Church
Where there more Catholics or Protestants in Germany?
Protestants
Roughly how many Protestants were there in Germany?
45 million
Roughly how many Catholics were there in Germany?
22 million (approx. half number of Protestants)
Why did Hitler feel threatened by the Churches?
They were a potential source of opposition to his power AND Christianity emphasised peace
What did the Reich Church attempt to ban?
The Old Testament - it was considered Jewish
Why did the Reich Church attempt to ban the Old Testament?
It was considered Jewish
What did Martin Niemoller form in 1934?
An alternative Protestant Church to the Reich Church, called the Confessional Church
What was the name of the church Martin Niemoller formed in 1934?
The Confessional Church
What did Niemoller begin doing in 1934?
Openly attacking the Nazi regime
What happened to Niemoller?
He was arrested and spent 1938-45 in a concentration camp
Which camp did Niemoller get put in?
Sachsenhausen - just outside Berlin
How many pastors (ministers) of the Confessional Church were imprisoned?
800 - including Niemoller, the founder
What did Nazis attempt to stop Catholics using in church?
The crucifix - although this failed
What happened to Catholic youth organisations?
They were suppressed - children were expected to join the Hitler Youth instead
Which Catholic became a vocal critic of the Nazi regime?
Bishop Galen of Munich
What did Bishop Galen do in 1941?
He led a protest against the Nazi policy of killing physically disabled and mentally ill patients
What did the Nazis do in response to Bishop Galen’s protest?
Temporarily paused the policy - they did not want to risk a popular uprising during war
When did Bishop Galen lead his protest against the killing of physically disabled and mentally ill people?
In 1941
Who publicly criticised the Nazis in 1937?
The Pope (Pope Pius XI)
Who was pope during this time?
Pope Pius XI (11)
As a result of Pope Pius’ attack on the Nazis, what happened?
400 Catholic priests were sent to Dachau concentration camp
What was Hitler forced to do during 1937?
Return control of the Church to old Protestant leadership - in return for a promise that it would stay out of politics
What happened to Church attendance during this period?
It increased significantly - especially during WWII
What does the increase in Church attendance show about Hitler’s attempts to control it?
It had failed
