To what extent did the Euthanasia Programme contribute to the gassing of Jews in extermination camps?

Presentation / Essay (Pre-University) from the year 2013 in the subject History Europe - Germany - National Socialism, World War II, grade: A, , course: History, language: English, abstract: This paper is an Internal Assessment Paper for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme History Standard Level. It is dealing with the Nazi Euthanasia Programme.

The Nazi Euthanasia Programme was mass a murder programme, predating the Final Solution by approximately two years. Its policy was not viewed as a means to mercy death; it aimed to restore the racial integrity of German nation by eliminating "life unworthy of life": individuals, who, because of psychiatric or physical disabilities represented genetic and economic burden of German society. This essay investigates: To what extent did the Euthanasia Programme contribute to gassing of Jews in extermination camps?

The scope of research is in the years of 1939-1945. Impacts of Hitler's evolutionary ideology, economic incentives and gassing technologies will be presented. Subsequently, the essay will analyse the strengths and weaknesses of two sources: Richard Weikart's Hitler's Ethic and Testimony of Euthanasia survivor Friedrich Zawrel. A conclusion will then be reached based on evaluation of evidence and appraisal of the sources.