Nazi Germany 1933-39: Did the Nazis Successfully control the Church?

Question 1

What were the 3 stages of control by the Nazis on the church?

Answer 1

• Control the Churches
• Weaken hold of traditional Christianity
• Replace Christianity with Nazism

Question 2

How did Hitler attempt to control the church? (Stage 1)

Answer 2

• Create a unified Protestant Reich Church

- Agree Concordat with Pope

Question 3

Was the Reich Church successful?

Answer 3

No as the Confessional Church broke away

Question 4

Give evidence for the confessional Church

Answer 4

In 1933 over 100 Pastors broke away and organised Confessional Church

Question 5

Was the Concordat successful?

Answer 5

Initially there was harmony but then criticism. Bishop Galen condemned euthanasia

Question 6

Give evidence for the failure of the Concordat

Answer 6

• Signed 1933
• Hitler attacked what he thought was interference. Harmony didn’t last
• Pope Pius XI made attack on Nazism

Question 7

Give an example of how the Nazis responded to Church opposition

Answer 7

700 Pastors arrested 1935 for condemning Nazi “neo-paganism”

Question 8

Who led the Confessional Church?

Answer 8

Niemoller

Question 9

How did Hitler try and weaken the hold of traditional Christianity?

Answer 9

• Make Christianity Nazi via German Christians movement

- Undermine influence of Catholic Church

Question 10

Was the German Christians movement successful?

Answer 10

No. It provoked reaction and increased support for Confessional Church.

Question 11

Give evidence for failure of German Christian Movement

Answer 11

Bavaria flew traditional flags

Question 12

Was Hitler successful in undermining Christianity?

Answer 12

• Discredited church by accusing of political interference rather than tackling head on
• Youth encouraged to join Hitler Youth, not church groups
• Church groups disbanded in 1936
• Successful as 65% at church school in 1935, 5% in 1937
• 100,000 left church in 1937

Question 13

How did Hitler try to replace Christianity with Nazism?

Answer 13

• German Faith Movement

Question 14

Was the German Faith movement successful? Why?

Answer 14

No as only sporadic attempts.

• 1939, 3.5 million were members of GottGlaubig, rejecting Catholicism
• Many kept a fear of ostracism secret
• Outcry when Pastors forced to swear allegiance to Hitler. Policy postponed to avoid opposition during war.