How Did Nazi Germany Influence The Catholic Church

Nazi Germany was the time period from 1933 to 1945, where Germany was under the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler and The Nazi Party. During this time period one third of the population were Catholics and the rest belonged to the Protestant Church. At the time less than one percent of the population were Jews, but they were not count as German citizens. The Influence the church had on its followers was considered a threat by Hitler and the Nazi Party. Adolf Hitler aimed to control the churches instead of destroying them, by doing this he hoped to have their support to continue rising his power. The way Hitler approached the Catholic Church was by signing the Reichskonkordat in 1933 with the Vatican, through this concordat both parts would benefit.
In the 1933’s election the catholic church influence was used as a technique to impact its followers and benefit from it. Shortly after the agreement was signed the Nazi Party broke its terms. Catholic schools were shut down, crucifixes were prohibited and priests were arrested and sent to concentration camps. The Protestant church was divided into the Reich Church and the Anti-Nazi Protestant Church, which made it easier for the Nazis to control. This shows how the politics where controlling religion and manipulating them into their own benefits because of the relationship and impact each one has on the other.