Eugenics - Germany, US, and Canada Flashcards
How did eugenics ideas begin in Germany?
Informed by eugenics movements in other countries, but the ideas were there before
Why was the Eugenics Society formed in Germany? Who was part of it?
To discuss and promote eugenics with like-minded individuals. The wealthy, powerful, and influential were part of it
Why did eugenics ideas gain support in Germany when the Nazis came to power?
Eugenics fit well with the Nazi ideas of racial purity
How did the Hereditary health courts practice eugenics in Germany?
It was a registry of the unfit that took notes from doctors about who was unfit and all information about them, created by the government
How was eugenics put into practice in Germany?
- Hereditary health courts
- Marriage laws
- Institutionalization
- Eugenic sterilization
- Propaganda
- Action T4
What was Action T4?
A law that decreed that the unfit people identified by the hereditary health courts were to be murdered by the state
How might have Action T4 been influenced by economics?
The government was spending a lot of money trying to stop the unfit from reproducing, and they might have killed them to put more money towards the war effort
How did the actions of Germany in World War 2 contribute to the downfall of eugenics?
The allies realized the human rights atrocities committed and they started to distance themselves from eugenics as the public became more uncomfortable
How did the eugenics movement begin the US?
Same as many other countries, by powerful individuals forming groups to discuss and promote eugenics
Why was the state of Indiana significant in the eugenics movement?
First state to introduce a eugenic sterilization law that targeted “confirmed criminals, imbeciles, and rapists”
Who was Harry Clay Sharp?
A prison superintendent that was a vocal supporter of eugenic sterilization and ordered vasectomies for some inmates at his mercy
Why was Buck vs Bell in Virginia a landmark case?
Legitimized the right of the state to sterilize people without their consent, and led to other eugenic sterilization laws being passed in other states
Who was Carrie Buck?
A woman labeled as promiscuous and a “mental defective” who wouldn’t give her consent to be sterilized by the state
What was the ruling of the Buck vs Bell case?
The state was able to legally sterilize her without her consent as it was best for public interest
What was the most prominent way of implementing eugenics in the US?
Institutionalization
Why did America pass immigration laws to stop immigration from Asia?
To preserve American homogeneity and prevent the culture from being “diluted”
How did marriage laws in the US promote eugenics?
Prevented anyone identified as a mental degenerate from getting married and thus having kids. Interracial marriages also weren’t allowed
What are positive eugenics?
Encouraging the “right kind” of people to reproduce with fitter family and better baby contests. They promoted a women’s duty to stay home and be a mother only for the benefit of society
How did eugenics in Canada get fuelled by anti-immigration sentiments?
Huge spike in immigration from Eastern Europe, and these people were believed to be the unfit and causing all of Canada’s social problems
Which two provinces implemented a sterilization law?
Alberta and BC. But BC didn’t implement the law aggressively
How was eugenics implemented in most of Canada?
Institutionalization and immigration laws. Marriage laws weren’t as common
Which political party passed the Eugenic Sterilization Act in 1928?
United Farmers of Alberta
Who did the 1928 Eugenic Sterilization Act target?
Very limited range. Targeted those who were “mentally degenerate” with cognitive disabilities
What is the chronological order of eugenics legislation passed in Alberta?
- United Farmers of Alberta pass Eugenic Sterilization Act
- Alberta eugenics board is formed to implement the Act
- Social Credit Party passes two amendments to the Act to include more people and removed the necessity for consent
- Progressive Conserative Party and Peter Loughheed overturn the Act
How many cases did the Eugenics board reject for sterilization?
None
Who was Leilani Muir?
A woman who was institutionalized and sterilized without consent. She took the Alberta government to court in 1996 and won
What was the evidence used to sterilize Leilani Muir?
A flirtatious note to a classmate, an IQ test, stealing someone’s lunch when she was starving
What is the notwithstanding clause?
A clause in legislation that allows the provincial government to back out of a legal agreement
Why didn’t Ralph Klein invoke the notwithstanding clause with Leilani Muir and other victims of eugenic sterilization even though he was going to?
Public backlash
