October 9, 2025

Eugenics and Euthanasia in Czechoslovakia (1914 – 1945): Historical, Social, and Educational Contexts

Key Points

Eugenic ideologies significantly shaped educational and social policies in Czechoslovakia, impacting people with disabilities.
The study highlights the role of Nazi occupation on sterilisation programmes and the ethical dilemmas they posed.
Medical aspirations for preventive eugenics often conflicted with democratic legal traditions in historical contexts.
Critical assessment indicates lasting implications of eugenics for contemporary inclusive education practices.

Abstract

The article analyses the historical development and impact of eugenic ideologies in Czechoslovakia between 1914 and 1945, with an emphasis on their influence on education and social policy towards people with disabilities. It examines the tension between medical aspirations for preventive eugenics and democratic legal traditions, as well as the effect of Nazi occupation policies, including sterilisation programmes and Aktion T4. Special attention is given to the role of segregated educational systems shaped by eugenic thinking and the ethical dilemmas arising from these practices. The study provides a critical assessment of the historical legacy of eugenics and its implications for contemporary inclusive education.

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Cite This Study

Stárek et al. (Sun,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68e70db790569dd607ee6564 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.53656/his2025-4-4-eug

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