Hitler initially claimed that Christianity was the foundation of German morality when he rose to power in 1933. However, he implemented policies to exert control over Christian churches in Germany. This included establishing a unified Protestant Reich Church to replace existing denominations. Christian symbols and traditions were also replaced with pagan references to Germanic culture. While the Vatican signed an agreement not to interfere in politics, opposition to Nazi policies from clergy like Martin Niemoller led to imprisonment. Hitler's attempts to control the churches met with varying success locally and faced ongoing resistance from clergy and religious groups like Jehovah's Witnesses.

1. Learning Objectives:
To understand and explain the problems Hitler had with the Church and
how he tried to control it.
Nazi Policies towards the Church
Christianity was ‘the unshakeable foundation of the moral life of
our people’ Hitler – Speech at the Reichstag 1933

2. Starter: Fill in the bubbles!
LO: To understand
and explain the
problems Hitler had
with the Church and
how he tried to
control it.

3. • 'First they came for the
Communists, but I was not a
Communist, so I said nothing.
• Then they came for the Social
Democrats, but I was not a Social
Democrat, so I did nothing.
• Then came the trade unionists, but I
was not a trade unionist.
• And then they came for the Jews,
but I was not a Jew, so I did little.
• Then when they came for me, there
was no one left to stand up for me.‘
What is the significance of
this poem?
LO: To understand
and explain the
problems Hitler had
with the Church and
how he tried to
control it.
Pastor Martin Niemoller

4. Should the Nazis destroy
the churches?
LO: To understand
and explain the
problems Hitler had
with the Church and
how he tried to
control it.
Destroy them!
• In 1933 nearly all Germans were Christians – 1/3 Roman Catholic and
2/3 were Protestants. Protestant church had more members than the
Nazi Party.
• Religious beliefs are powerful – people who believed in God might be
less likely to believe in Hitler. Church taught very clear rules of behaviour
and attitude – what if this conflicted with Nazi ideas.
Use them!
• Many Church members voted for Hitler – Protestant church pastors were
among the most successful Nazi election speakers.
• Common ground – importance of family – Church supported emphasis
on Military – marched into Rhineland in 1936.
• Church was the local power base of the Nazis – build on this and they
could be stronger still

5. Concordat – June 1933
LO: To understand
and explain the
problems Hitler had
with the Church and
how he tried to
control it.
Concordat – Agreement/Understanding between Catholic Church not to
interfere with each other.
Hitler to allow religious work to continue.
Catholics to not involve themselves with politics.

6. What changes were made?
LO: To understand
and explain the
problems Hitler had
with the Church and
how he tried to
control it.
• In 1933 the Reich Church (Nazi) was set up to unite all Protestant
Churches.
• Prayers were said which included thanks to God for sending Hitler to
Germany – with Hitler seen as a saviour
• Hitler Youth songs included lines such as:
• “Germany had all it needed in Hitler – it did not need Christianity”
• “The swastika was better than the cross”
• Festivals were held to celebrate the German Bronze age past – a
PAGAN past
• Many non-Christian sects grew up – The German Faith Movement
• All pro-Nazi and anti-Semitic
• Most were pagan, worshipping the sun and the seasons
• Nazi ceremonies to replace Christian weddings, baptisms and funerals.

7. 1939 census
results:
1, 944, 000 Roman
Catholics
42,636,000
Protestants
1,208,000 Without
Belief
2,746,000 Neo-
pagan
What do the figures
above tell us?
Did the Nazis succeed in
controlling the churches?
LO: To understand
and explain the
problems Hitler had
with the Church and
how he tried to
control it.
After 1935, once the Nazis felt they had more
control over Germany, the policies to control
the church became bolder.
Policy was chaotic – Nazis improvised,
changed their minds, and bowed to public
pressure.
Local leaders were responsible for setting the
policy – some sent SA men to murder priests
while others went to church every Sunday and
sang in the choir!
Success therefore varied from place to place

8. Using what you have heard and
your text books pg. 94-99 complete
the timeline
What changes were made?
LO: To understand
and explain the
problems Hitler had
with the Church and
how he tried to
control it.

9. Opposition from the Church
LO: To understand
and explain the
problems Hitler had
with the Church and
how he tried to
control it.
In pairs using page 96 & 97 create a fact file on the below
opposition faith leaders & groups
MARTIN NIEMOLLER
PAUL SCHNEIDER
CRADINAL GREEN
JOSEF FATH
THE JOHOVAH WITNESSES
Must include: Name
Religion
What did they oppose?
How were they dealt with?

10. WIPEOUTWIPEOUT
WIPEOUT
WIPEOUT
Hitler agreed
to leave the
Churches
alone
The Church
was often the
local power
base for Nazis
Jehovah’s
Witnesses
were left alone
by Nazis
The Reich
Church was
set up by the
Nazis
Christmas
carols and
nativity plays
were banned
from schools
Hitler set up
the
Confessional
Church
Some Church
members
spoke out
against Hitler
The
Concordat
was signed
with the Pope
Swastikas
were hung
from altars
The Nazi ‘Faith
Movement’
worshipped
the sun
Martin
Niemoller was
a leading Nazi
Not many
people went
to Church
Fact of Myth?
LO: To understand and explain the
problems Hitler had with the
Church and how he tried to control
it.