Summary 9- Policies towards the mentally ill and disabled - Euthanasia

Question 1

By 1939 who had the regime authorised Euthanasia on?

Answer 1

They authorised it on the mentally and physically disabled

Question 2

What were hospitals required to do after 1939 regarding the T4 programme?

Answer 2

They were required to identify children with disabilities who were sent to a special hospital and either starved to death or put to sleep.

Question 3

How many victims were there of the T4 programme?

Answer 3

There were 5000 victims, who were mostly children however the programme was extended to adults

Question 4

Which group led protests against the T4 programme?

Answer 4

The church led protests.

Question 5

How did Hitler react in regard to the demonstrations against the T4 programme?

Answer 5

Hitler halted the programme in August 1941

Question 6

Give examples of resistance towards the T4 programme from the Catholic Church?

Answer 6

• On 2 Dec 1940 the Pope pronounced that the killing of people with mental and physical defects was ‘against the natural and positive law of God’.
• In August 1941, Archbishop von Galen preached a sermon attacking euthanasia, and widely distributed copies

Question 7

What was the impact of Bishop Galen’s sermon which attacked euthanasia?

Answer 7

There were public demonstrations against the T4 programme.