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Frankfurt's Nazi-Era 'Erbkartei': A Legacy of Eugenics
The Frankfurt "Erbkartei," a Nazi-era card index tracking individuals deemed 'deviant,' reveals a disturbing continuity of practices and raises critical questions about past and present.
German
Germany
Germany Public HealthHistoryNazi GermanyArchivesEugenics
Frankfurt Institute For Urban HistoryFrankfurt's Health OfficeFritz Bauer InstituteNazi Party
Jens KolataAlfred HocheKarl BindingPeter TinnemannSebastian Tripp
- What is the "Erbkartei" and what information does it contain?
- The Frankfurt Institute for Urban History houses the "Erbkartei," a card index started in 1933 by the city's health office to track individuals deemed deviant by Nazi standards. These cards, containing basic personal information and markings indicating interactions with institutions like psychiatric clinics, were used in various administrative decisions.
- How was the "Erbkartei" used during and after the Nazi regime?
- The "Erbkartei" was utilized for applications for marriage, city employment, adoptions, and forced sterilizations. It reveals the extensive network between the health office, hospitals, homes, police and other entities in regulating and monitoring people.
- What is the significance of Frankfurt's approach to its historical records?
- Frankfurt's health office's early adoption of the "Erbkartei" and its current engagement with its history stands out. Peter Tinnemann, the current head of the health office, emphasizes the importance of examining this history to understand current practices and potential threats from resurgent ideologies.
- How did the use and terminology of the "Erbkartei" change after World War II?
- The continued use of the "Erbkartei" after WWII shows how the Nazis' eugenic ideology subtly persisted, with the term "race" being replaced with terms like "heredity" to avoid political repercussions. The card index was used for adoptions and other applications.
- What does Kolata's research reveal about the continuity of practices before and after the war?
- Historian Jens Kolata's research using the "Erbkartei" highlights the continuity of practices even after World War II. The same individuals who held positions in Nazi eugenics programs often continued in similar roles, albeit with modified titles, after the war.