Religious Policies

Question 1

What were the aims of the Nazis?

Answer 1

1. Control existing Churches
2. Weaken traditional Christianity
3. Replace Christianity with new religion

Question 2

What were the Nazi policies towards Protestants?

Answer 2

1. Nazis supported the German Christians who wanted to incorporate the ‘Nazi spirit’ into their faith
2. They set up the official Reich Church in an attempt to combine all Protestants within one structure

Question 3

What opposition did the Nazis face from the Protestants?

Answer 3

1. Confessional Church set up
2. Public outcry when the German Christians required pastors to swear an Oath of Loyalty to Hitler and when 2 pastors were arrested.

Question 4

How did Hitler reduce the influence of the Catholic Church?

Answer 4

1. The Pope agreed to disband the Centre Party, eradicating political opposition and religious influence in politics
2. Concordat
3. Catholic youth groups disbanded in 1936. However, the Church kept control of educational institutions, youth groups and communal facilities.
4. 200 priests accused of financial and sexual misbehaviour

Question 5

When was the Concordat signed?

Answer 5

July, 1933

Question 6

What was the Concordat?

Answer 6

An agreement where the Pope promised to recognise and not interfere with the Nazi regime. In return the regime would not interfere with the Church.

Question 7

What were the results of the Nazi policies towards Catholicism?

Answer 7

1. Pope Pius XI issued ‘With Burning Grief’ which was an outspoken attack on Nazism.
2. Election of Pope Pius XII in March 1939.

Question 8

What was the result of the election of the new Pope?

Answer 8

1. He did not condemn Nazism, must Communism
2. Made no comment on anti-Semitism
3. Refused to excommunicate those involved in the genocide

Question 9

What other changes did Hitler make?

Answer 9

Prayers were said to thank God for sending Hitler to Germany, creating the façade that Hitler was a deity.