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History 1302:

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Assignment: Exam II

Social Darwinism

Social Darwinism was a philosophical ideology of the late 19th century, combining

natural selection perspective by Charles Darwin with Herbert Spencer's, Malthus', and other

science and sociology theorists' work supporting imperialist, racist, or liberal economic policy.

In the 18th century Enlightenment, the total acceptation of nature's law in human beings'

definition grew. Social Darwinism is a rivalry within societal classes, typically leading to the

fittest or competent dominating. Social Darwinists believe that the power's strength and

prosperity should rise while the poor should. Social Darwinist agrees that they can society can

propagate the strong and do away with the vulnerable. Industrialization also contributed to

shifts in capitalism in the wage economy of the 19th century (Rudman & Lina 1140). Social

Darwinism influenced culture, as class stratification was explained by the acquisition of

resources since citizens were trying to cultivate an intrinsic self-sufficient mentality. It changed

society leading to imperialism, bigotry, and misogyny.

Social Darwinism is a philosophy that people act following natural selection rules and

are subject to competition. They develop from an indistinct primitive state to one where

distinction and development are achieved (Brinkley 11). This indicates that people were

always quite alike, beginning in prehistoric times. Through time, human beings changed

further, and some became stronger. Some have been wiser and tougher, and such individuals

continue to succeed in life. People who are sick, disabled, or seem inadequate have been
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discriminated against. They were regarded as inferior or not so successful as some. Anyone

considered 'fit' can act effectively than anyone deemed unsuitable.

Social Darwinism also upholds Eugenics' believes that the human race should

improve its superior attributes. It is the method of enhancing humankind by depriving

individuals of faults or less favorable properties of reproduction. Negative Eugenics involves

promoting individuals with less favorable characteristics to replicate. Social Darwinism is the

idea that the best survives, such that you improve the human race by utilizing Eugenics to

create the most suitable species. Some States banned unspeakable and weak marriages in the

United States (Hofstad 22). This was their attempt to make sure that specific individuals

could not replicate with undesirable characteristics. Often Eugenics is referred to as social

engineering. This covers all forces that enhance a face's innate attributes, including those that

profit greatly. Physical fitness, wealth, and superior capabilities are positive characteristics

sought in humans. People with favorable traits such as excellent health are considered more

significant than others. According to social Darwinism, individuals with superior qualities are

more effective hence should dominate.

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, many individuals were discriminated

against because of Social Darwinism and Eugenics. Immigrants are one of the communities it

targeted since the eugenics campaign labeled them as biologically weaker. Immigrants were

often portrayed as unhealthy, frail, and an interbreeding threat. People thought that refugees

were less intelligent than anyone and that since they had not been effective in their home

nation, they were poor and would be nothing more than a burden to society. The American

Government was among several countries where immigration reform was decided or

influenced by eugenic concerns (Rajas, 1139). Anti-immigrant advocates argued that refugees

posed a fertility problem and that poverty and disease accompanied them.
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Social Darwinism and Eugenics' concept was a nationalist standard to protect

America in the early 1900s when immigration to the United States was substantial. Certain

types of individuals were barred from being citizens of the United States. Eugenics has a

significant impact on these policies. Certain people were denied access to the nation as they

were deemed inferior. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, this idea created instability (Rudman

& Lina 1147). Such citizens embraced  Eugenics and suppressed and mistreated foreigners to

protect what they considered were better humans. Then others invested in assisting refugees

and establishing a more equitable world for everyone. Immigrants faced discrimination for

various causes, and the Eugenics hypothesis did little to improve their situation. Most

Christian Fundamentalists opposed Darwinism since it contradicted what their faith said.

Fundamentalist Christians concluded that the Bible was God's word and that everything it

claimed was true and could be done (Brinkley, 16). Darwinism rejects the Religious doctrine

in creation. The Christian faith claims that God formed the Earth in few days, while

Darwinism believes in nature and that things shift and rise all the time, and that all life

evolved from a tiny organism. This posed a problem for these Believers since it was contrary

to their religion.

 The concept of Social Darwinism altered people's perceptions of the economy by

turning it into an arena rather than a playground. Because of how social Darwinism has

changed the market's perceptions and reality, it has progressed. It has a healthy, efficient

environment for individuals to make money to sell their products and services. Furthermore,

the theories of Social Darwinism are still widespread today. The principle that only the best

life is still valid in today's economy (Hofstad, 24). The Social Darwin hypothesis is based on

how bigger, better-funded corporations exclude tiny, more customized firms. The principle of

governmental non-interference in the market has been used extensively in developing the

economies of multiple and varied communities. Charity and scholarships have now been a
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feature of culture to support less fortunate people to survive. People may also take advantage

of openings to become better and to thrive. Spencer's concept has contributed to

technological advancement and development.

Finally, Social Darwinism and Eugenics affected both refugees and native-born

Americans. During the Industrial Age, these ideas influenced millions of citizens. These

hypotheses are still being created. In a graded culture, this has been a feature of our past, and

that is how many of us are used to living. It has sparked debate in schools and the legislature.

It altered the way citizens regarded and viewed one another. Immigrant groups have a more

difficult time.
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Works Cited

Brinkley, Douglas. American Heritage History of the United States. New Word City, 2015.

Hofstadter, Richard. Social Darwinism in American thought, 1860-1915. University of

Pennsylvania Press, 2017.

Rajas, Jarmila. "Disciplining the human rights of immigrants: market veridiction and the

echoes of eugenics in contemporary EU immigration policies." Third World

Quarterly 36.6 (2015): 1129-1144.

Rudman, Laurie A., and Lina H. Saud. "Justifying social inequalities: The role of social

Darwinism." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 46.7 (2020): 1139-1155.