What happened between the Nazis and the Churches?

Question 1

Protestant Churches:

Answer 1

• Many protestants were willing to show support to the Nazis because of their family values.
• A number of pastors spoke in favour of them:
  -> encouraged their congregations to vote for them & willing to allow their churches to be used as Nazi bases.
• The Reich church was established in 1933.
• Nazi policies resulted in alienation of Protestant churches.
• 1934 2 protestant bishops arrested for opposing Reich church.
• Pastors established the confessional church (independent of the state).
• Attracted support of 7000 out of 17,000 pastors = shows ineffectiveness of Nazi policies.

Question 2

Catholic Churches:

Answer 2

• Hitler was concerned by the threat posed by catholic church as followers might put loyalty to pope before the state.
• He didn’t want to provoke conflict & the church was concerned to preserve it’s independence, -> signed concordat with state in July 1933 guaranteed religious freedom & return for church keeping out of politics, Nazis agreed not to interfere with legal and property rights of the church.

Question 3

Opposition from churches:

Answer 3

• Nazis did interfere with churches as they only able to achieve limited success in controlling churches - caused opposition in both protestant & catholic churches.
• Was a problem as suppression could alienate many Germans - but limited persecution didn’t have the desired impact.
• Clergy who spoke out against regime were sent to concentration camps to silence them.
• Popularity of individuals made it difficult for Nazis to do more.