Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-39 Flashcards
Reasons Hitler wanted to reduce the Church’s power
- 1930s most Germans Christian, Church influential. During Weimar state and Church workd closely, Church involved in education and other national matters
- Some prominent Nazis anti-Christian, Nazi ideology disagreed with role of Church
- Hitler thought religion should comply with state and wanted them to promote Nazi ideals. worried Christians might publicly oppose him
- Nazi party careful to maintain support from Catholic and Protestant Churches during rise to power because of their popularity. However as Hitler consolidated totalitarian state, control over Churches increased
How Catholic Church assuaded and then persecuted
- July 1933 Hitler signs Concordat with Pope. Hitler promised not to interfere with Catholic Church if Church stayed out of his politics
- Catholic Church now banned from speaking against Nazis but Hitler broke his side of deal
- 1937, Pope spoke against Hitler in letter to Germany Catholic Churches. stance of Church changed but many German Catholics too scared to speak against Nazis
Ways Hitler broke Concordat
- Nazis began to restrict Catholic Church’s role in education
- 1936 crucifixes removed from schools and 1939 Catholic education destroyed
- Nazis began arresting priests 1935 put them on trial
- Catholic newspapers suppressed and Catholic Youth group disbanded
Nazi control of Protestant Church
- 1933, 28 independent Protestant Churches, politically divided- some formed group ‘German Christians’. supported Hitler and favoured Anti-semitic version of christianity
- Nazis backed this version believing all churches should follow their principles. 1936 all Protestant Churches merged to form Reich Church
- Reich Church attempt to increase state control over Protestant Church and make a National Socialist version of Christianity
How Reich Church Nazified Christianity and Opposition to it
- Replaced symbol of cross with Nazi Swastika, Bible replaced by ‘Mein Kampf’. Only Nazis could give srmons and Church suspended non-Aryan ministers
- Not everyone supported this. opposed by Protestant group called the ‘Confessing Church’
Ways the Political Left opposed Hitler
- Nazis banned other political parties, including those on left, such as communist party (KPD) and Social Democratic Party (SPD)
- Members formed underground groups to try and oragnise industrial unrest. Networks often infiltrated by Gestapo and party members could be executed
- Impact limited because different parties divided with no cooperation
Martin Niemöller’s opposition to Nazis
Protestant pastor, former U-boat captain, one-time Nazi-supporter. Objected to Nazi interferance in Church, one of the founders of the Confessing Church. used a sermon 1937 to protest against persecution of Church members, as a result spent several years in concentration camps
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s opposition to Nazis
Key member of the Confessing Church, Protestant theologian and pastor who opposed Nazis from beginning. Joined resistance, helped Jews escape Germany and planned assassination of Hitler. caught and imprisoned then executed weeks before the fall of the Nazis
Clemens August von Galen’s opposition to Nazis
Catholic Bishop of Münster, used sermons to protest against Nazi racial policies and ‘euthanasia’ of disabled. Protsests didn’t stop killing, but forced Nazis to keep them secret. Only need to maintain support of German Catholics stopped Nazis executing him.
The Edelwiss Pirates
- Name of rebellious youths who rejected Nazi values and opposed Hitler Youth
- Helped army deserters, forced labourers and escaped concentration camp prisoners
- At first ignored by Nazis but cracked down on after distribution of anti-Nazi leaflets. Many arrested, several publically hanged
The Swing Kids/Youth
Groups of youths who rebelled against tight Nazi control of culture, acting in ways considered ‘degenerate’ by Nazis (e.g. listening to American music and drinking alcohol). mostly considered nuisance rather than threat but some arrested and even sent to concentration camps
Effect of Opposition to Nazis
didn’t really threaten dominance but meant Gestapo kept busy tracking down people who distributed anti-Nazi leaflets, held secret meatings, committed acts of sabotage etc.
Low Level ways some Germans opposed Nazis
Expressed dissatisfaction with Nazi regime in ‘Low Level’ ways- e.g. grumbling about government or spreading rumours. Not everyone considers this genuine opposition but was probably risky
Nazi expectations of Women
- Nazis didn’t want women to have much freedom. believed the role of women was to provide children and support family at home
- Women banned from being Lawyers 1936, Nazis did best to stop women following other proffessions
- League of German Maidens spread Nazi idea that it was honour to produce large families. Nazis gave rewards fro this and encouraged women to marry by offering financial aid.
- Women expected to dress plainly, discouraged from make-up and smoking. At school girls studied subjects such as cookery. stressed they should choose ‘Aryan’ husbands
How Public works and rearmament reduced unemployment
- Hitler started huge programme of public works, helped reduce unemployment, e.g. From 1933 jobs created as result of autobahns
- All men 18-25 could be recruited into National labour Service and given jobs
- Industry output increased, unemployment fell
- Hitler brought military conscription encouraging German industry to manufacture more ships, aircraft, tanks, and weapons for military. Rearmament meant falls in unemployment
- Trade Unions banned so workers had to join Nazi Labour Front. Workers weren’t allowed to strike or campaign for better conditions, wages relatively low
