Spartan Influence in Nazi Germany Despite the two thousand years between Spartan civilisation and the Nazi German regime, both shared considerable similarities in the areas of education, women and marginalisation of groups. During the late 19th Century and early 20th Century Sparta was beginning to be idealised by various academics and poets as well as being part of the inherent Prussian military upbringing (Prof. Herman, n.d.). This is how Nazi Germany came to idealise and glorify the Spartan solider and the racial evolution that was a part of the Spartan baby selection process. One of Germany's leading Ancient Historians at the time, Helmut Berve (1940), even went as far to claim that Sparta was "the most suitable model for the national revolution."
Influence of Spartan Attitudes
Nazi Germany utilised Spartan ideal, in particular their early eugenics practice, as a means of strengthening the emerging Germany and its youth. (Defeat of Germany in World War 1 led to new political movements and trials to ease national pain and strengthen Germany).
Highly regarded academic Professor Gabriel Herman (n.d.) suggests that northern origins and racial qualities fed into the development of Nordiscism, the theory of the superiority of a North European Aryan Master race. A theory held in high esteem by the Nazi Party.
Adolf Hitler (1928), who provides comprehensive insight into the perspective and ideals of the Nazi Party, was particularly fuelled by this idea of a master race, stating that "The Spartans were once capable of such a wise measure...their subjugation of 350,000 Helots by 6,000 soldiers was only possible because of the racial superiority the Spartans enforced."
Source 20: Primary source that is representative of the Reich Government, who authored the legislation. Provides insight into the practice of Sterilisation and Eugenics that was a part of the Spartan and Nazi regimes. Clear bias in favour of German attitudes and ideals at the time. Relevant to the influence of Sparta and demonstrates the Spartan and German theory of racial supremacy.
Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring 1933
Physicians required to register every case of hereditary illness known to them (excluding in women over the age of forty five. )
As a means of enforcing this and exerting power those who failed to comply were heavily fined
Based on early Spartan eugenics
Relevant Sections of the Law:
S1: Anyone suffering from hereditary disease can be sterilised...if there is a high probability that this offspring will suffer from serious physical or mental defects of hereditary nature.
S2: Applications for sterilisation can be made by the individual to be sterilised (or a legal representative if person is under the age of 18).
S3: Sterilisation can also be requested by the following: 1. the state physician 2. In the case of inmates of hospitals, nursing homes and institutions, by the head thereof.
S5: responsibility for the decision rests with the eugenics court that has jurisdiction over the district in which the person to be sterilised resides.