Life in Nazi Germany 1933-39

• 1. Why did Hitler want to reduce the Church's power?

  • By 1930s, most Germans were Christians and the Church was very influential - during the Weimar Republic, the state and the Church had worked closely and the Church was involved in national matters like education
  • Hitler thought religion should comply with the state and wanted churches to promote Nazi ideals - he was also worried some members of the Church might publicly oppose Nazi policies
  • As Hitler consolidated his totalitarian state, his control over churches increased
• 2. How was the catholic church persecuted?

  • In July 1933, an agreement called the Concordat was signed between the Pope and the Nazi government - Hitler promised not to interfere with the Catholic Church if the Church agreed to stay out of German politics - Hitler soon broke this deal
  • The NSDAP began to restrict religious influence in education - in 1935 all crucifixes were removed and by 1939 Catholic education had been destroyed
  • The Nazis began arresting priests in 1935, Catholic newspapers were suppressed and the Catholic Youth group was disbanded
• 3. Women expected to raise Large Families:

  • Nazis didn't want women to have too much freedom - they believed they were meant to provide for children at home
  • Women were banned from being lawyers in 1936
  • League of German Maidens spread Nazi idea that it was an hour to produce large families for Germany - Nazis gave awards to women for doing this and encouraged more women to marry by offering financial aid to marry couples
  • Women were expected to dress plainly and were discouraged from wearing make-up and smoking, girls at school studied cookery and they should choose Aryan husbands