Peace treaties signed at the end of World War I did little to pacify the German people over various nationalistic issues and their concern about the spread of Communism. This dissatisfaction gave impetus to Adolph Hitler’s fascist movement. While, sadly, most Protestant and Catholic groups chose not to defy Hitler, those that did were quickly eliminated or repressed. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939 World War II was officially launched. This was also the initiation of one of the greatest horrors in the history of humankind, the Jewish Holocaust. Hitler’s rabid hatred of the Jews extended to Christians who he called “inventions” of Judaism.
Impact: After the war, with churches lying in ruin and many Christian leaders killed, Germany became very secular. In fact, Europe, the cradle of the Reformation, is today the least religious continent in the world.