Matthew Hoeffner
12/17/14
ID# 74975454
History 190
Eugenics, and Their Attack on the World of Color
Throughout the History of mankind there have been people of different colors, and differing levels of intelligence, but in the recent history of the past several hundred years there have been many different attempts using science to draw a link between race or color and intelligence. This leads to the scientific practice of eugenics, which is one of the most controversial practices when it comes to race and the treatment of those of another race. Around the world eugenics and similar practices have been used to varying extents. An extreme example of Eugenics is Germany’s attempt to create a white super race during the 1930’s and 40’s. Germany is not the only place that has been guilty of this practice, but they may be the most extensive and extreme case. Another country guilty of using Eugenics is the United States. In the United States Eugenics was known to be used to effectively get rid of the undesirables. Some state that as getting rid of mental and physical abnormalities, but at its origin it is an attempt to simply get rid of those who are different. These are just two examples of those in power attempting to maintain the status quo in that area, and using pseudoscience to explain their power trip. Eugenics has been one of the worst results of this effort, and takes it to the borders of extermination and genocide. Looking at Eugenics from a Historical perspective one must look back to its origins, and realize that it starts far before the Nazi’s in Germany brought it to the forefront of the world’s consciousness. It dates back to the very early 1900’s when the science was brand new and simply developing. Looking into the uses in the United States in dealing with the mentally retarded, and eventually those who were unlucky enough to have what was considered inferior genetic makeup. One step taken in Eugenics was sterilization, which
Matthew Hoeffner
12/17/14
ID# 74975454
History 190
Eugenics, and Their Attack on the World of Color was seen as an appropriate method to treat those who were mentally ill. In the book
Keeping America Sane by Ian Downbiggin there is historical reference to the Historical background, start and assention of Eugenics in the United States, and Canada
(Downbiggen,…). Yes Canada that considerably calm country north of the US has had to deal with a very controversial Eugenic History. Some psychiatrists wanted the Canadian government to ensure that they would not allow people with mental and physical disability would not take advantage of any charitable organizations that they considered to be undue (Downbiggin, 133). They feared that these people would not only be feebleminded, but promiscuous as well. Since at this time Canada had a higher reliance on its government to make decisions regarding the safety, mental health, and wellbeing of its society it is no wonder that they their Psychiatric community was more accepting of sterilization as an appropriate means of dealing with this issue, which they thought affected public health (Downbiggin, 134). In the US at the time although the issue was considered a public health issue as well it was something that was more heavily dealt with in the private sector. Due to this fact in Canada it was clear that this is one of the reasons that Eugenics had little if any vocal opposition. In the United States Eugenics was additionally most popular is areas where it was in close proximity to the government, such as at the state level, or levels with the prison system (Downbiggin, 134). As Canada and the United States became more urbanized the issue of public health came further to the forefront of the mind of those in leadership. With alcoholism, prostitution, immigration, disease, and bad working conditions (industrialization) on the rise there was a higher level of urgency in
