1. The Nazis and religion Today we are going to look at the following questions: How religious was Nazi society in 1933? How religious was Nazi society in 1933? What was the Reich Church? What was the Reich Church? Which protestant groups protested against the Nazis? Which protestant groups protested against the Nazis? How did the Nazis deal with the Catholic Pope? How did the Nazis deal with the Catholic Pope? What happened to smaller religious groups? What happened to smaller religious groups?

2. A Christian society 33% Catholics 33% Catholics 66% Protestants 66% Protestants Big organisations which Hitler was keen to control Big organisations which Hitler was keen to control They initially saw Hitler as a good force in Germany because he promoted old fashioned moral values They initially saw Hitler as a good force in Germany because he promoted old fashioned moral values

3. Priests giving the Nazi salute at a Catholic rally in August 1933.

4. The Reich Church Set up in 1936 by Nazis – led by Ludwig Muller as Reich Bishop. Set up in 1936 by Nazis – led by Ludwig Muller as Reich Bishop. ‘One people, one land, one faith’. ‘One people, one land, one faith’. Renamed Luther Christians in 1938 Renamed Luther Christians in 1938 Bible replaced at the altar by Mein Kampf Bible replaced at the altar by Mein Kampf A Swastika replaced the cross A Swastika replaced the cross Christian Youth organisations placed under leadership of HJ Christian Youth organisations placed under leadership of HJ

5. A procession of the Reich church

6. 1933 Nazi coin

7. Protestant opposition Nazi attempt to control Protestant church FAILED Nazi attempt to control Protestant church FAILED Bishops and ministers refused to give in to Nazi pressure Bishops and ministers refused to give in to Nazi pressure Question :Why did the Nazis find it difficult to get rid of these ministers? Question :Why did the Nazis find it difficult to get rid of these ministers? Most opposition ministers were eventually arrested and sent to concentration camps. Most opposition ministers were eventually arrested and sent to concentration camps.

8. Martin Niemoller Key figure = Martin Niemoller. Key figure = Martin Niemoller. Head of Confessional church. Head of Confessional church. A WW1 U-boat hero. A WW1 U-boat hero. Arrested in 1937 and put into concentration camp. Continued to speak out against human rights abuses. Arrested in 1937 and put into concentration camp. Continued to speak out against human rights abuses.

9. Niemoller’s poem First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out- because I was not a communist Then they came for the Trade Unionists and I did not speak out- because I was not a Trade Unionist Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me

10. The Catholic church Why was the Catholic church harder to control? Who was the head of the church? Why was the Catholic church harder to control? Who was the head of the church? 1933 the Pope signed an agreement with Hitler to accept both organisations. 1933 the Pope signed an agreement with Hitler to accept both organisations. Nazis quick to break agreement – outspoken priests arrested and youth groups closed down. Nazis quick to break agreement – outspoken priests arrested and youth groups closed down.

11. Other groups Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses PACIFISTS – refused to do military service and resisted conscription PACIFISTS – refused to do military service and resisted conscription 10,000 imprisoned in concentration camps 10,000 imprisoned in concentration camps Had to wear purple triangle to show their religion. Had to wear purple triangle to show their religion.

12. Things to do Read about Martin Niemoller on page 87 and answer the questions. Read about Martin Niemoller on page 87 and answer the questions. Try the true / false activity on page 88 Try the true / false activity on page 88 Extension – have a go at the Enquiry skills questions on page 89 Extension – have a go at the Enquiry skills questions on page 89