Church opposition

Concordat

An agreement Hitler signed with the Catholic Church in 1933 to leave the Church alone in return for its non-involvement in politics.

Reich Church

The unified church that Hitler tried to establish to consolidate Protestant churches under a single official church.

Ludwig Muller

The leader of the Reich Church.

German Christians

A group used by the Nazis to promote Nazi ideology through the Reich Church.

Old Testament

What the Reich Church attempted to ban, as it was considered Jewish.

Confessional Church

An alternative Protestant church formed by Martin Niemoller in 1934 in opposition to the Reich Church.

Bishop Galen of Munich

A Catholic bishop who became a vocal critic of the Nazi regime.

Dachau concentration camp

Where 400 Catholic priests were sent as a result of Pope Pius XI's attack on the Nazis.

Church attendance during WWII

Increased significantly, demonstrating the failure of Hitler's attempts to control the Church.

Pope Pius XI

The pope who publicly criticized the Nazis in 1937.

Niemoller's arrest

Niemoller was arrested and spent between 1938-1945 in a concentration camp for opposing the Nazis.