Jump to navigation. The war had displaced millions of people. Worse, millions on land and at sea died while fighting, or in shellings and bombings. World War II extracted a high cost in civilian lives. How could such a disaster be caused upon mankind by a nation known for its rich culture and tradition? Indeed, many scholars have asked this very question, and most people are still looking for a satisfactory answer. Where were people of good will to do battle with Hitler's totalitarian regime and fight his demonic ideas?
Let us take a look at Germany's churches and how they responded to their country's new chancellor and the rise of National Socialism. Under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany lost all of its overseas colonies and parts of its territory to formerly hostile neighbours.
The following years — known as the Weimar era, Germany's first experiment with democracy — were marked by political chaos and strife, pitting conservative monarchists and, radical communists against each another. By the mid s, these factions were joined by Nazis who quickly became known for their violence-prone marches and rallies. While the monarchists were mere authoritarians, the latter two groups wanted to enforce a totalitarian rule.
With its high unemployment, the German social fabric had become unglued. The legacy of the Weimar Republic was one of extreme inflation, strikes, violent political rallies, shortages of all kinds of goods, rampant crime, abandonment of children, pornography, prostitution and homelessness of many. Germany had lost its sense of direction. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, Hitler and his National Socialist ideology found a fertile soil in German society.
People longed for the restoration of order and former greatness. Particularly the latter loathed Weimar's chaos and initially supported Hitler's goals enthusiastically. Bizarre as this may sound today, large groups of disillusioned people viewed Hitler as an angel of light.
