Germany (Predicted Nazi and the Church) Flashcards
(28 cards)
What did the Nazis view Christianity as?
A potential threat
Because it taught values like peace, humility, and individual conscience.
What values taught by Christianity clashed with Nazi ideology?
Peace, humility, and the importance of individual conscience
These values were contrary to the principles upheld by the Nazis.
Did the Nazis attack religion outright at first?
No
They aimed to control and use the Churches to support their regime.
What was the proportion of Protestants and Catholics in Germany during the Nazi rise to power?
Two-thirds were Protestant and one-third were Catholic
This demographic influenced Hitler’s strategy towards the Churches.
What was Hitler’s initial strategy regarding the Churches?
To control and use them to support his regime
Rather than eliminating them immediately.
What was created by the Nazis in 1933 to control Protestantism?
The Reich Church
The Reich Church was established to align Protestantism with Nazi values.
Who was the pro-Nazi bishop that led the Reich Church?
Ludwig Müller
Ludwig Müller was appointed to enforce Nazi ideology within the Protestant Church.
What symbols were replaced in the Reich Church?
Christian symbols with Nazi ones
This was part of the effort to align the church with Nazi ideology.
What ideas did the Reich Church promote?
Hitler’s ideas
The Reich Church sought to embed Nazi ideology within Protestant teachings.
What was the name of the group formed by Protestants who opposed Nazi control?
The Confessing Church
The Confessing Church was established to resist Nazi interference in religious matters.
Who led the Confessing Church?
Martin Niemöller
Martin Niemöller was a prominent figure in the resistance against Nazi control of the church.
What happened to Martin Niemöller in 1937?
He was arrested and sent to a concentration camp
Niemöller’s arrest was a consequence of his opposition to Nazi policies.
What agreement did Hitler sign with the Pope in 1933?
The Concordat
What was the main promise made by Hitler in the Concordat?
Not to interfere with the Catholic Church if it stayed out of politics
True or False: Hitler upheld the Concordat throughout his rule.
False
What actions did Hitler take against the Catholic Church after signing the Concordat?
Shut down Catholic schools and youth groups; arrested priests who spoke out
Who became well-known for criticizing Nazi euthanasia policies?
Bishop Galen
What was the fate of Bishop Galen during the war?
He was not punished
What happened to other clergy who spoke out against the Nazis?
They were silenced or imprisoned
What was the Nazis’ approach towards the clergy?
The Nazis increasingly persecuted clergy who resisted Nazi ideology.
Who was Martin Niemöller?
A Protestant pastor from the Confessing Church who was arrested for speaking out against the Nazis.
What happened to many Protestant pastors during the Nazi regime?
They were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
What actions were taken against Catholic clergy?
Hundreds of Catholic priests were arrested for opposing Nazi policies.
Why were Catholic priests particularly targeted?
They were targeted for criticizing the regime or protecting persecuted groups.
