Kulturkampf

Kulturkampf, meaning "culture struggle" in German, was a political campaign in the 1870s initiated by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in Germany. It aimed to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church on German society and government, asserting state authority over church affairs. This involved measures like controlling Catholic education, clergy appointment, and civil marriage. The effort faced resistance from Catholics and ultimately weakened over time. Kulturkampf reflected broader conflicts between secular national interests and religious institutions, highlighting the challenges of balancing state power and religious freedom during that period.