The Role Of Euthanasia During World War II

The Euthanasia Program implemented during World War II killed thousands of people that did not fit the Nazi agenda. These included the mentally ill, disabled, homosexuals, and people not of German descent. Euthanasia was used as a way to achieve “the perfect Aryan race” envisioned by the Nazis This program was led by Phillip Bouhler and Karl Brandt and protected under the Führer Chancellery. Correctly dubbed “T-4” this program was named for its coordinating office in Berlin, or Tiergartenstrasse 4.
The Nazi Regime operated on an idea of “survival of the fittest”, also known as Social Darwinism. Out of Social Darwinism came Eugenics. The fundamental movement of eugenics was to eliminate the ability of “lesser people” to procreate while maximizing the population of “superior” individuals. Citizens who represented the ideal desired physical traits were encouraged to have as many children as possible. This idea was adopted by the Nazi party and helped breed the campaign of hate spread by Hitler and his followers.
A decree was set in place that required all medical officials to report any child under the age of three that demonstrated severe physical or mental disability. All medical professionals were asked beforehand to participate and were told that they could stop at any time, free of persecution. Doctors began recommending that parents send their special needs children to clinics where they were systematically killed by starvation, lethal overdoses, or gas chambers. These clinics were disguised as hospitals with the purpose of rehabilitation and