KQ3: The SED and the Protestant Churches

Question 1

Between which dates was there a period of

Antagonism and Rapprochement.

Answer 1

1945-1969

Question 2

Between which dates was there a period of

Co-operation.

Answer 2

1969-1978

Question 3

Between which dates was there a period of

Compromise and contention.

Answer 3

1978-1989

Question 4

Name 3 ways which the SED antagonised the church.

Answer 4

1. Religious education outlawed
2. Religious children expelled from schools/ discriminated against. Judge Gemeinde (youth church group) deemed a criminal organisation.
3. Jugendweihe, a secular alternative to conformation introduced. Nearly all children took part as it was seen detrimental to one’s career not to.

Question 5

When was religious education outlawed.

Answer 5

1946

Question 6

When were religious children expelled/ discriminated against.

Answer 6

1951

Question 7

When was Jugendweihe introduced.

Answer 7

1954

Question 8

Name 3 ways which the SED carried out policies rapprochement towards the church.

Answer 8

1. Ministry of Church Affairs formed.
2. In 1967 the Church and State celebrated 450 years of reformation.
3. Previous policies of antagonism were reversed.

Question 9

When was the Ministry of Church Affairs formed.

Answer 9

1957.

Question 10

Name 3 ways that the church cooperated with the state.

Answer 10

1. Community work- care homes and community ventures
2. Strongly opposed NATO
3. Toleration and cooperation with the church was keeping with Ostpolitik.

Question 11

Name 1 way that the church and state compromised together.

Answer 11

1. Concordat

Question 12

When and what was the Concordat

Answer 12

March 1978
An agreement for the church to be compliant. In return the church could build new centres of worship and import religious literature.

Question 13

Name 2 ways that the church and state contended.

Answer 13

1. The church was a place where opposition groups could gather
2. These opposition groups were around 25% STASI informers.