Catholics

What did the Nazis do to control the Catholic church?

Initially, the Nazis worked with the Catholic Church. Hitler signed an agreement with the pope called a concordat in July 1933 which stated that both sides would not interfere with the other. However, Hitler broke his promises and attacked the Church.

Why did the Nazi regime want to control the Catholic Church?

There are 5 main reasons why Hitler tried to control the Catholic Church:

• ❖ The Catholic Church had 22 million members, or 32% of the German population.
• ❖ It was a very powerful and influential institution which controlled a range of organisations, such as youth groups, schools and charities.
• ❖ Catholics followed the guidance of the pope as their religious leader. Hitler believed they listened to the pope more than to him.
• ❖ Catholics tended to support the Centre Party (ZP).
• ❖ Catholics sent their children to Catholic schools and Catholic youth groups.

How did the Nazis try to control German Catholics?

The Nazis tried to control the Catholic Church by reaching an agreement with them.

• ❖ In July 1933, Hitler signed an agreement with the pope, called the concordat.
• ❖ In the concordat, it was agreed that Hitler would not interfere with the Catholic Church or its schools.
• ❖ In return, the Catholic Church would not interfere with politics and would swear loyalty to the government.

How did Hitler break his promises to the Catholic Church in Nazi Germany?

Hitler broke the promises made in the concordat by arresting Catholic priests and closing Catholic schools and youth groups. He also changed the school curriculum to further reflect Nazi ideology.

What was the pope's response to the Nazi attack on the Catholic Church?

Eventually in 1937, Pope Pius XI spoke out against the treatment of the Catholic Church by the Nazis in a speech called 'With Burning Anxiety', or 'Mit Brennender Sorge'.

How did Catholics respond to the Nazi attack on the Church?

There were 2 main reactions to the Nazis' treatment of the Catholic Church:

• ❖ About 400 Catholic priests criticised the Nazi government and were imprisoned in Dachau concentration camps.
• ❖ Catholic Archbishop Galen spoke out against Nazi policies and the creation of concentration camps. He was arrested by the Gestapo and forced to remain at home for the duration of the Second World War.