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Adolf Hitler's accension to power opened new pathways for anti-disability sentiment. Quickly after his rise to power, they passed the Law for the Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Diseases in 1933, allowing the sterilization of people with select disabilities, disorders, and asocial characteristics. This was supported by an additional marriage law the and the establishment of the Office of Racial Policy. Through the use of health courts, around 400,000 were sterilized during the program's operation. The RPA published numerous propaganda pieces to try to coerce the population to completely support the program. Many within Germany resisted the order and pushed back against the state enforcement of the law, Catholics being the most vocal antagonists to the program. Ultimately they were unsuccessful and the sterilization program continued until the end of World War II.

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Apr 22nd, 11:30 AM Apr 22nd, 12:00 PM

"I Guess It Was My Turn": German Public Perception of the Sterilization Program from 1933 - 1939

Textual or Investigative

Adolf Hitler's accension to power opened new pathways for anti-disability sentiment. Quickly after his rise to power, they passed the Law for the Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Diseases in 1933, allowing the sterilization of people with select disabilities, disorders, and asocial characteristics. This was supported by an additional marriage law the and the establishment of the Office of Racial Policy. Through the use of health courts, around 400,000 were sterilized during the program's operation. The RPA published numerous propaganda pieces to try to coerce the population to completely support the program. Many within Germany resisted the order and pushed back against the state enforcement of the law, Catholics being the most vocal antagonists to the program. Ultimately they were unsuccessful and the sterilization program continued until the end of World War II.

 

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