Vom Nutzen und Nachteil der Mission. Die bayerischen Kapuziner in Südchile zur Zeit des Nationalsozialismus

The incorporation of the Araucania region into Chilean territory, after the end of the military occupation in 1883, led to an increase in the process of exploration by traveling scientists, and the settlement of missionaries in the area, of which the Bavarian Capuchins were the largest group. In addition, German settlers, among other European colonists, joined these actors during the nineteenth and at the turn of the twentieth century. This article analyses the Capuchins missionary work during the time of the national socialism in Germany (1933-1945). The analysis relies on a collection of missionary journals. Using the less studied era of the national socialism in the missions’ history, this work’s contribution to the historiography consists of a first demonstration of the topics mentioned in certain missionary journals of the time. One interesting aspects, among others, is the highlighting of the missioners scientific field studies to legitimize missionary work between 1933 and 1945.