National Socialist German Doctors' League

Template:German name

The National Socialist German Doctors' League (German: Nationalsozialistischer Deutscher Ärztebund , abbreviated as NSDÄB) was a professional organization of physicians in Nazi Germany. It was established to align the medical profession with the ideologies and policies of the Nazi Party.

History

The NSDÄB was founded in 1929, during a period of significant political and social upheaval in Germany. The organization was part of a broader effort by the Nazi Party to control and influence various professional sectors within the country. The league aimed to ensure that all medical practices and policies adhered to the principles of National Socialism.

The headquarters of the NSDÄB in Munich

Objectives

The primary objectives of the NSDÄB included the promotion of racial hygiene, the implementation of eugenics policies, and the exclusion of Jewish and politically unreliable doctors from the medical profession. The league sought to indoctrinate physicians with Nazi ideology, emphasizing the importance of "racial purity" and the health of the "Aryan race."

Structure

The NSDÄB was structured to mirror the hierarchical organization of the Nazi Party. It was led by a Reichsärzteführer (Reich Medical Leader), who was responsible for overseeing the activities of the league and ensuring compliance with Nazi policies. The organization was divided into regional branches, each headed by a local leader who reported to the central authority.

Activities

The NSDÄB played a crucial role in the implementation of Nazi health policies. It was involved in the T4 Program, which aimed at the systematic killing of individuals deemed "unworthy of life," including those with mental and physical disabilities. The league also supported the Nuremberg Laws, which restricted the rights of Jewish citizens and barred them from practicing medicine.

Education and Propaganda

The NSDÄB was instrumental in reshaping medical education in Germany. It introduced curricula that emphasized Nazi ideology, including courses on racial theory and eugenics. The league also produced propaganda materials to promote its views among the medical community and the general public.

Impact

The influence of the NSDÄB extended beyond the medical profession, affecting public health policies and contributing to the broader goals of the Nazi regime. Its activities had a lasting impact on the medical ethics and practices in Germany, with repercussions that were felt long after the end of World War II.

Dissolution

The NSDÄB was dissolved in 1945 following the defeat of Nazi Germany. The Allied occupation of Germany led to the disbandment of all Nazi organizations, and many of its members were subject to denazification processes.

Related pages

• Nazi Party
• T4 Program
• Nuremberg Laws
• Eugenics
• Racial hygiene