Persecution of Disabled People

What was the Nazi persecution of disabled people?

The Nazi persecution of disabled people included anyone in Germany with physical or mental disabilities. The nature of persecution escalated and became worse over time. This was the first group of people to be murdered.

When did the Nazi persecution of disabled people begin?

The Nazi persecution of disabled people started in 1933 and continued until 1945.

Why did the Nazi regime carry out the persecution of disabled people?

The Nazis persecuted disabled people because they believed it was wasteful looking after them and if they reproduced, their offspring would ruin the Aryan race.

How were disabled people targeted by the persecution from the Nazis regime?

There were 3 main attacks on disabled people:

• ❖ The Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring was passed in 1933. This led to people being sterilised if they were physically or mentally disabled such as being deaf or blind, or were suffering from a psychiatric disorder such as alcoholism. By 1939, between 200,000 and 400,000 people had been sterilised.
• ❖ In 1939, the Nazis started the T4 Programme which was the planned murder of those with severe physical or mental disabilities through a massive drug overdose or starvation. It is estimated that more than 5,000 children were murdered under this programme.
• ❖ Many disabled people were also subjected to medical experiments.