A late 19th century attempt to keep Germany unified, the Kulturkampf was a system of regulatory laws instated by the Prussian Prime Minister, Bismarck. He deeply despised the Catholics because they obeyed a foreign master, the Pope, which put their loyalties in question. The liberals sided with Bismarck because they viewed the Catholic Church as a backwards and messed up institution. They were not without opposition, though. The Center Party, which was in favor of the Catholics, vehemently fought Bismarck and his allies every step of the way. Eventually, the Kulturkampf prevailed and the Catholic Church in Germany suffered greatly. For example, the church was excluded in matrimony; a Civil Marriage, documented by the state, was absolutely required for a couple to be recognized as spouses. Complaining about the Kulturkampf and its vicious attack on the Catholics (and other religions) would result in priests being unceremoniously kicked out of Germany. Likewise the monks of all orders were banished from Germany because of the government’s fear that monastic teachings would influence the people; and the new clergy was trained by the government. Instituted by Bismarck, the Prussian Prime Minister, Kulturkampf assaulted and suppressed Catholicism, putting the State firmly in its place.