Lebensborn Program Founded on December 12, 1935

On December 12, 1935, the Lebensborn program was officially established by Heinrich Himmler, one of the leading figures of Nazi Germany and head of the SS (Schutzstaffel). The program was part of the Nazi regime’s broader racial policies aimed at promoting the growth of the so-called “Aryan” population, which they considered the master race.

Background and Objectives

The Lebensborn program was conceived in the context of Nazi ideology, which emphasized racial purity and the expansion of the Aryan race. The Nazis believed that increasing the birth rate of racially “pure” Germans was essential for the future of the Third Reich. The program was designed to encourage childbirth among individuals deemed racially valuable and to provide support for unmarried mothers and their children.

Key Features of the Program

• Maternity Homes: Lebensborn established maternity homes where pregnant women could give birth in secrecy and comfort. These homes were located in Germany and later expanded to occupied territories, including Norway and France.

• Support for Mothers: The program offered financial assistance, medical care, and social support to mothers who met the racial criteria. This was intended to alleviate the stigma associated with out-of-wedlock births and encourage more women to have children.

• Adoption Services: Lebensborn facilitated the adoption of children born in the program by SS families or other racially approved families. This was part of the effort to ensure that these children were raised in environments aligned with Nazi values.

• Kidnapping and Germanization: In occupied territories, the program was involved in the kidnapping of children who exhibited Aryan traits. These children were then Germanized and placed with German families.

Impact and Legacy

The Lebensborn program was a direct manifestation of the Nazi regime’s racial policies and contributed to the broader agenda of ethnic cleansing and population engineering. It is estimated that thousands of children were born under the program, though exact numbers remain uncertain.

After World War II, the program’s activities were scrutinized during the Nuremberg Trials, and its leaders were held accountable for their roles in the regime’s crimes against humanity. The legacy of Lebensborn is a stark reminder of the dangers of racial ideology and the human cost of such policies.

Conclusion

The founding of the Lebensborn program on December 12, 1935, marked a significant moment in the implementation of Nazi racial policies. It exemplified the regime’s commitment to manipulating population demographics to align with its ideological goals, leaving a lasting impact on countless lives and contributing to the broader atrocities of the Holocaust and World War II.