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Nazi control over religions (Control over Protestants (Breaking your…
Nazi control over religions
Control over Catholic Church
1/3 of Germany was Catholic and Hitler was worried that
Christians will listen to Church teachings rather than Hitler and the Nazi Party
Christians have more influence to young people than Hitler and the Nazi Party
Christians might be more loyal to God and the church than Hitler and the Nazi Party
Christians might question what Nazis say if they heard something different at Church
How Hitler gained control over the Chruch
Breaking your promises
Catholic Youth Movement was shut down in 1936
Anyone who tried to run or attend meetings of CYM were arrested by Gestapo
If they refused to obey instructions, catholic schools were shut down
Catholic monasteries (where nuns and monks lived) were shut down
Priests who spoke against the Nazis were harassed and arrested. 400 were sent to Dachau camp
Nazis accused Catholic priests of being pedophiles. Over 1000 Catholic priests were accused
Hitler promised to protect rights of Catholic Church but he broke them
Success
Most priests were now afraid of Nazis
They did not speak against the Nazis and did not support them
Did not speak out because of the punishments they could face
Failure
Pope Pius XI
did a speech "With Burning Anxiety" and this criticised Hitler and the Nazi Party
By
1941
, the Nazis were forced to stop killing them
Bishop Galen
, openly spoke about how its wrong that the Nazis are disabled people
Nazis backed out on removing crucifix at schools in 1937 after protests
Concordat with the Pope
Catholic Centre Party would be shut down
Hitler promised he would leave the Catholic Church alone
Catholic Church would stay out of political matters
The Catholic Youth Movement would return
In 1933, Hitler made a deal with the pope
Catholic schools could teach they way they taught before
Failure
When Nazis broke the Concordat, Church became opposed to the Nazis
Bishop Galen and Pope Pius XI openly criticized the Nazis
Success
Source of opposition was removed
Concordat meant Nazis rarely opposed to the Church
Catholic Centre Party would end in July 1933
Alternatives to Christianity
Promoted non christain ideas
Supported Nazi party and Nazi iews
Created non religious group called German Faith Movement
Success
Meant that they would be more loyal
Some Catholics WERE persuaded to join German Faith Movement
Failure
Only 5% of German population joined so it was not that popular
Control over Protestants
2/3 of Germany was protestant and Hitler was worried that
Christians would listen to the Church’s teachings and values, but not listen to Hitler and the Nazis
Christianity might have more influence over young people than the Nazi Party
Christians would be more loyal to God and to the Protestant Church than they were to Hitler and the Nazi Party
Breaking your enemies
Bonhoeffer was imprisoned in a concentration camp from 1943-1945
murdered by the Gestapo in 1945
Niemöller was imprisoned in a concentration camp from 1938-1945
set up the Ministry of Churches, which was run by a man called Hans Kerrl
Opponents like Pastor Martin Niemöller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer were arrested and imprisoned
was to work with the Protestant Churches, to reduce their influence on day-to-day German life.
He broke up these rival groups, using the same methods of brutal oppression that were used against his political opponents
Ministry of Churches tried to ‘Nazify’ the Church, to bring it into line with what the Nazis wanted
Success
Failure
Create your own Nazi Church
If more people attend the meetings of the Reich church they would hear more pro - Nazi messages
Make them more loyal to the Nazi party
Provided alternative Christian church
In 1933, Hitler created the Reich church
Failure
Most Protestant priests simply ignored what the Reich Church had to say
6000 Protestant priests joined the Confessional Church
A majority of Protestant priests chose not to join the Reich Church
Success
2000 protestants priests joined the Reich church
Reich was loyal to the Nazis
Alternatives to Protestantism
Supported Nazi Party and Nazis views
Success
Some protestants were persuaded to join
Meant they were more loyal to Nazis
German Faith Movement was created
Failure
Only 5% of Germany joined the German Faith Movement