The Catholic Church

Question 1

Why did many Catholics support Hitler ?

Answer 1

Many Catholics supported Hitler because of his opposition to communism

Question 2

What did Hitler see the Catholic Church as ?

Answer 2

A threat to his Nazi state

Question 3

Why did Hitler see the Catholic Church as a threat to the Nazi state ?

Answer 3

• Catholics owned their first allegiance not to Hitler but to the Pope
• Catholics had schools and youth organizations whose messages contradicted the Nazi one
• Catholics tended to support the centre party

Question 4

What did Hitler decide to do to the Catholic Church at first ? What shows this ?

Answer 4

Co operate with the Church
1933 he signed a contract or agreement with Pope Piues XI

Question 5

What did Hitlers agreement with Pope Pius XI agree ?

Answer 5

Pope agrees Catholic Church would stay out of politics
If
Hitler agreed to not interfere with the Church

Question 6

Did Hitler break his agreement with the Pope ?

Answer 6

Yes within a few months

Question 7

What did Hitler do a few months after the agreement with the Pope ?

Answer 7

• priests harassed and arrested with many ending up in concentration camps
• catholic schools distrusted and abolished
• Catholic youth movements got closed down
• monasteries were closed