Kulturkampf: Before Bonhoeffer there was Bismark
In the relentless march of Secularization, America is hardly the first. From the attempted de-Christianization of France to the persecutions in Eastern Europe, complete separation of the Church from the State has been the dogma of the world. None had the same dramatic effect than that of Kulturkampf in Germany. This dogma had a place in the heart of Otto von Bismark. This presentation will explore historical context of Kulturkampf and why Germany was on the verge of secularization; the background of Bismark with a study of his worldviews, religious tradition, etc. to explore why he attempted to remove Church influence from matters of State; the presentation will finally be concluded with analysis on how the events of Kulturkampf influenced the secularization of Germany during the rise of National Socialism.
HIST 332, History of Christianity II
L204
10:30 – 11:00 AM