1. The Church in Nazi Germany What was Nazi policy towards religion?

3. Ludwig Mueller, a Nazi sympathizer, was elected to the position of Reich Bishop in 1933 as Hitler attempted to unite regional Protestant churches under Nazi control. Berlin, Germany, November 17, 1933.

4. Church = possible threat to Nazi power 1925 census: German population of 65 million, 40 million belonged to the main Protestant (Evangelical Lutheran) church 21 million to the Roman Catholic church 620,000 to various smaller, mostly Protestant denominations. "Church Struggle" - strained relationship between church and state in Germany in the 1870s and then again during the Nazi regime. Aim of churches: keep control over institutions and maintain freedom to worship

5. Concordat (Treaty) with Catholic Church (1933) Hitler not interfere with the Catholic Church while the Church would not comment on politics Confirmed the dissolution of German Catholicism's trade unions and political organizations Guaranteed the church traditional rights to cultivate and promote the practice of the Catholic rite, to maintain Catholic schools, and to appoint Catholic clergy Many provisions of the agreement were promptly violated, e.g. persecution of Jesuits

6. Catholic Church continued Concordat lasted until 1937 - Hitler started a concerted attack on the Catholic Church arresting priests etc. In 1937 pope Pius XI, issued his "Mit brennender Sorge" statement ("With burning anxiety") over what was going on in Germany But never a total clampdown on the Catholic Church in Germany World-wide movement with much international support

7. The Protestant Church Number of different churches represented - easier to deal with Until 1933 = separate Landeskirchen in 28 areas - own structure Split: the "German Christians" led by Ludwig Muller who believed that any member of the church who had Jewish ancestry should be sacked from the church Merged into one national “Evangelical Church” - aryans only Muller supported Hitler and in 1933 he was given the title of "Reich Bishop". 1935: greater control: Minister of Church affairs Hanns Kerrl Opposed: the "Congressional Church” Led by Martin Niemoller (famous in Germany as WW1 U-boat captain = potential embarrassing to Nazis) Arrested by Gestapo for opposing Hitler: Niemoller was sent to a concentration camp for 7 years where he was kept in solitary confinement Many other Confessional Church members suffered the same fate.

8. The Reich Church Created 1936 Swastika replaced Christian cross as its symbol The Bible was replaced by "Mein Kampf" which was placed on the altar, also sword Only invited Nazis were allowed to give sermons in a Reich Church.

12. Discussion: How were churches affected by Nazi rule? In what ways did the Nazis use Christianity to further their control?

13. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/fo otball/european_football/article1082418. ece