Baltic Eugenics: Bio-Politics, Race and Nation in Interwar Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania 1918-1940

by Bjorn M. Felder (Editor), Paul J. Weindling (Editor)

The history of eugenics in the Baltic States is largely unknown. The book compares for the first time the eugenic projects of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and the related disciplines of racial anthropology and psychiatry, and situates them within the wider European context. Strong ethno-nationalism defined the nation as a biological group, which was fostered by authoritarian regimes established in Lithuania in 1926, and in Estonia and Latvia in 1934. The eugenics projects were designed to establish a nation in biological terms. Their aims were to render the nation ethnically, genetically and racially homogeneous. The main agenda was a non-democratic state that defined its population in biological terms. Eugenic policies were to regenerate the nation and to reconstruct it as a pure and original race, Such schemes for national regeneration contained strong elements of secular religion.

Genres: History

336 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Christin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially appreciate the originality and credibility of the text, and the fact that little is written in regards to the subject within this region. Informative and gives a good insight on the Baltic region regarding eugenics. Truly insightful and interesting. Considering it is a journal/academic essays-the only thing I could note is that there are a few repetitions of thoughts/facts and many questions unanswered. Which could be helped with further investigation or explanation from the authors.