What were the Nazi ideas about race and eugenics? How did they apply them in Germany? (6)

Question 1

Which theories were the Nazi ideas of race based on?

Answer 1

The theories of Social Darwinism and eugenics, especially the writings of Ernst Haeckel.

Question 2

What Ernst Haeckel belief did the Nazis adopt?

Answer 2

They adopted his belief that tall, blonde and blue-eyed Europeans were superior to all other people, and that the extermination of other ‘inferior’ people would mean progress for the human race.

Question 3

What Eugen Fischer belief influenced the Nazis?

Answer 3

His ideas about eugenics and racial purity, and by the work of eugenicists who supported sterilisation programmes in the USA.

Question 4

The Nazis believed that society was divided into a _____ of races.

Answer 4

Hierarchy

Question 5

What was the Ayran race?

Answer 5

Hitler used the word ‘Aryan’ to describe his idea of a ‘pure German race’ or Herrenvolk. The ‘Aryan race’ had a duty to control the world. The Nazis believed that the Aryans had the most “pure blood” of all the people on earth. The ideal Aryan had pale skin, blond hair and blue eyes.

Question 6

They used ____ to discriminate against those they thought were inferior, which meant all other people who were not ___. This led to the ____ of millions.

Answer 6

Theories
Ayran
Persecution

Question 7

True or false

Nazi beliefs became official state policy

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Give an example of how Nazi beliefs became official state policy.

Answer 8

Theories about race were presented as scientific fact in textbooks.

Question 9

How did they preserve the purity of the German nation?

Answer 9

Marriage or sexual relations between Germans and other ‘inferior’ races were outlawed. These ideas were even taught at school.

Question 10

What happened to those seen to have been genetically inferior by the Nazis?

Answer 10

Forcibly sterilised so that they could not have children.

Question 11

What did the Nazis do to disabled people?

Answer 11

They thought that people with mental disabilities or illness should be removed from society. Disabled or handicapped people were excluded from society.

Question 12

Disabled people were locked up in ____, and many were used in cruel scientific experiments.

Answer 12

Institutions

Question 13

The theories of eugenics were also used to justify ____.

Answer 13

Murder

Question 14

Who was killed in a ‘euthanasia campaign’?

Answer 14

70 000 and 93 000 mentally ill patients in institutions and clinics.

Question 15

What is euthanasia?

Answer 15

Causing someone to die gently and without pain, if they are suffering from an incurable disease or irreversible coma.

Question 16

What the Nazi idea called Volksgemeinschaft?

Answer 16

This was the community of healthy Aryans working for the good of the nation. The nation’s needs were seen as more important than individual rights. People who did not support general good were seen as outsiders who should be removed from society.

Question 17

Who did the Nazis believe had the duty to have as many children as possible?

Answer 17

People of pure Aryan blood.

Question 18

What was the role of women under the Nazis?

Answer 18

Women were encouraged to produce and nurture children at home rather than joining the workforce.

Question 19

In this way Nazi Germany planned to build up a strong ‘____ race’ of racially pure Germans.

Answer 19

Master