Wez Smith

Most Christians in Germany in the 1930s either supported Hitler or did not openly oppose his imperial ambitions. Why? According to historians, there were at least five reasons: 1. Nationalism After World War I and the humiliating Treaty of Versailles, many Germans felt deeply wounded and longed for restored national pride. Hitler promised to “make Germany great again,” which resonated with nationalists — including many Christians who saw patriotism as a moral duty. 2. Economic desperation Hyperinflation in the early 1920s wiped out savings, and the Great Depression left millions jobless and hopeless. Hitler promised jobs, economic revival, and stability — and many were desperate enough to believe him. 3. Desire for social order and traditional values Hitler promoted family, discipline, obedience, and traditional gender roles. Many conservative Christians saw these as aligned with their moral worldview and felt reassured rather than threatened. 4. Antisemitism and anti-immigration prejudice Antisemitic and anti-immigrant attitudes were widespread in European society long before Hitler. Nazi propaganda exploited these prejudices, portraying Jews and immigrants as threats to the nation’s “purity” and stability. 5. Fear of communism and social chaos The 1920s and early 1930s were marked by economic depression, mass unemployment, and violent clashes in the streets. Many Christians — especially in middle-class and rural communities — feared a communist revolution that would suppress religion and destroy private property. Hitler presented himself as a shield against “godless Bolshevism,” winning support even from conservative church circles. “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” — Mark Twain