German Religion ca. 1870-1919
- The protestant reformation started in the 1500's, consequently, 2/3 of the population proir to WWI was protestant. - The remainder of the population was mainly Roman Catholic. - After the unification of germany in 1871, Otto von Bismarck sought to weaken the catholic chruch. - Bismarck launched the Kulturkampf, and anti-Roman Catholic campaign. - After negotiations at the Vatican, the Kulturkampf ended, yet the Roman Catholics were left with a deep distrust of the empire. - The Jesuit order was prohibited, and members were expelled from the country. - The Falk laws, named for Bismarck's minister of cuture, mandated German citizenship and attendence at German universities for clergymen, state inspection schools, and state confirmation of parish and episcopal appointments.
