Life unworthy of life

Nazi designation for people deemed "unfit to live"

Euthanasia propaganda poster used by the Nazis

Life unworthy of life (German: Lebensunwertes Leben) was a Nazi designation for the segments of the populace which, according to the regime, had no right to live. This concept was used to justify the systematic killing of individuals deemed "unfit" or "undesirable" by the Nazi state. The term was first used in the context of the T4 Program, a campaign of forced euthanasia.

Origins and Ideology

The concept of "life unworthy of life" was rooted in the eugenics movement and the belief in the superiority of the Aryan race. It was influenced by the writings of German jurist Karl Binding and psychiatrist Alfred Hoche, who argued that certain individuals, such as those with severe mental or physical disabilities, were "burdens" to society and should be euthanized.

The ideology was further propagated by Nazi leaders, including Adolf Hitler, who believed in the purification of the German population through the elimination of those considered "inferior." This belief was part of the broader Nazi goal of creating a "racially pure" state.

Implementation in Nazi Germany

The implementation of the "life unworthy of life" policy began with the Action T4 program, which targeted individuals with disabilities. The program involved the systematic murder of patients in psychiatric hospitals and other institutions. Victims were often killed by gas, lethal injection, or starvation.

The policy was later expanded to include other groups, such as the Roma people, homosexuals, and Jews, who were also deemed "unworthy" by the Nazi regime. These groups were subjected to mass extermination in concentration camps and extermination camps during the Holocaust.

Impact and Legacy

The concept of "life unworthy of life" had a profound impact on Nazi policy and the course of World War II. It led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of individuals and contributed to the atrocities of the Holocaust.

After the war, the Nuremberg Trials brought many of those responsible for the implementation of these policies to justice. The trials highlighted the moral and ethical implications of the Nazi ideology and its impact on human rights.

The legacy of "life unworthy of life" continues to be a subject of study and reflection, serving as a reminder of the dangers of dehumanizing ideologies and the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Related pages

• Eugenics
• T4 Program
• Holocaust
• Nuremberg Trials
• Nazi Germany