New Books in History Udi Greenberg, "The End of the Schism: Catholics, Protestants, and the Remaking of Christian Life in Europe, 1880s-1970s" (Harvard UP, 2025)
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Apr 30, 2025 
Udi Greenberg, an associate professor at Dartmouth specializing in modern European history, discusses his book on the reconciliation between Protestants and Catholics in Europe. He explores how their rivalry transformed into collaboration driven by shared threats like socialism and feminism. Greenberg reveals how this unity intensified during the rise of fascism and the Cold War. He also touches on the evolving role of Christian institutions in shaping governance, sexual practices, and global relationships, emphasizing the dynamic nature of religious cooperation throughout history.
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Confessional Conflict Shapes Modernity
- Late 19th and early 20th century Catholics and Protestants intensified their mutual animosity.
- They explained modern society's challenges mostly through confessional conflict and attributed social ills to the other faith.
Shared Threats Spark Cooperation
- Catholics and Protestants began tentative cooperation against socialism, feminism, and colonial challenges starting in the late 19th century.
- These shared threats laid groundwork for eventual ecumenical collaboration despite theological differences.
Inequality as Divine Order
- Equality was viewed by Christians as a hubristic revolt against God’s ordained social order.
- Maintaining hierarchical inequality was seen as vital to preserving spirituality and societal harmony.