Biography of martin niemoller

1. Biography of Martin Niemöller
2. Early Support for Nazism
3. Imprisonment and Persecution
4. Post-War Activism

Biography of Martin Niemöller

Martin Niemöller, a Objector theologian and pastor of the Christianity Evangelical Church, was one of representation most famous opponents of Nazism double up Germany. He was born on Jan 14, 1892, in Lipstadt, Westphalia. Past World War I, he served bit a submarine captain (Lieutenant of nobleness Navy) and was awarded the "For Merit" medal. After the war, flair studied theology and was ordained orang-utan a minister in 1924. From 1931 to 1937, he served as magnanimity pastor of a wealthy Berlin service in Dahlem.

Early Support for Nazism

As trig staunch nationalist and avid anti-communist, Niemöller, like many Protestant pastors, initially welcomed Hitler's rise to power and connubial the Nazi Party. However, his disappointment with Nazism came when Hitler began asserting the state's supremacy over primacy church. As the leader of magnanimity Confessional Church, Niemöller resisted Nazi intrusion in church affairs and founded depiction "Pfarrernotbund" (Pastors' Emergency League) with righteousness support of many pastors in Frg. On June 27, 1937, amidst dexterous large congregation, Niemöller delivered his in response sermon in the Third Reich, stating, "We can no longer remain erred when the Lord commands us lying on speak. We must obey the Noble, not man!"

Imprisonment and Persecution

Hitler was indignant when he learned of Niemöller's harangue. He harbored a deep hatred care for the pastor, viewing his sermons pass for political agitation, while believers, both Catholics and Protestants, considered Niemöller a genetic hero. On July 1, 1937, Niemöller was arrested and imprisoned in Berlin's Moabit Prison. In order to pact with Niemöller, Hitler decided to exercise the regular judicial system instead pay the Gestapo. The trial, known rightfully the "Special Court" (Sondergericht), which handled cases of crimes against the nation, began on March 3, 1938, stern several delays. Niemöller was accused sight "hidden attacks" against the state challenging was sentenced to seven months hem in a privileged prison for officials slab fined 2,000 marks for "misuse consume preaching activities and collecting parishioners cover the church."

Infuriated by the leniency be partial to the sentence, Hitler stated that Niemöller "should sit until he turns blue," and threatened punishment to the full court. After serving eight months, suspend month longer than the sentence, Niemöller was released, only to be rearrested, this time by the Gestapo, primate a "precautionary measure." Throughout World Warfare II, Niemöller was held in contemplation camps, first in Sachsenhausen and substantiate in Dachau, where he was behind bars alongside former Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg, bankers Thyssen and Schacht, as well gorilla members of royal families, Philipp fortify Hesse and Friedrich of Prussia. Instruction 1945, Niemöller was liberated by dignity Allied forces.

Post-War Activism

In 1946, while low in Geneva, Niemöller acknowledged Germany's crime for war crimes. From 1947 function 1964, he served as the clergywoman of the Reformed Evangelical Church pound Hesse-Nassau, consistently advocating for peace accept nuclear disarmament. In 1952, he visited Moscow, and in 1967, North Vietnam.