The German Ecumenical Youth Movement between Internationalism and Nationalism during World War I and in the Postwar Period

What is it about?

At the turn of the 20th century, Christian internationalism became an increasingly broad and worldwide movement. It was primarily youth organisations such as the YMCA and the World Student Christian Federation that promoted international relations and wanted to build a global community. Most of the leaders of the national organisations were internationalists or at least convinced of the unity of all Christians. Then World War I began. How did these Christian internationalists react? How did the members of the belligerent countries negotiate between their internationalist and nationalist convictions? This article analyses the actions, motivations and theological arguments of three German associations in their interactions with the respective world alliances.

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Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

Why is it important?

At the turn of the 20th century, Christian internationalism became an increasingly broad and worldwide movement. It was primarily youth organisations such as the YMCA and the World Student Christian Federation that promoted international relations and wanted to build a global community. Most of the leaders of the national organisations were internationalists or at least convinced of the unity of all Christians. Then World War I began. How did these Christian internationalists react? How did the members of the belligerent countries negotiate between their internationalist and nationalist convictions? This article analyses the actions, motivations and theological arguments of three German associations in their interactions with the respective world alliances.

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