Social Darwinism In The Early Twentieth Century

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Darwinism originated from naturalist, Charles Darwin. Darwinism was found through scientific experimentation on species to explain the theory of evolution. Although the theory was used on a basis of biological study and proposed the ideas of “Survival of the Fittest,” historians have found this theory expanded into the American society in the early 20th century, becoming known as Social Darwinism (Schultz, 2012). In addition to the expansion of Darwinism, America had become strongly influenced by the phenomenon of Eugenics, a movement derived from Darwinism, led by Francis Galton to spread the belief that the human species can be improved through outlawing the reproduction of people who were thought to have unsuitable traits. Given the influence …show more content…
From Grants literature and data, northern Europeans were taught to be a superior race composing of the ideal superior traits. That being said, individuals of other races such as African American, Asian, and Hispanic were considered inferior, composed of undesirable traits. As an influx in immigration began to occur of deemed inferior races, “Eugenics, rising xenophobia, and the progressive spirit of the early twentieth century resulted in new restrictive rules in U.S. immigration policy” (Purcell, 2015, p. 1). Maintaining the superior race was of primary importance to eugenic advocates. Eugenicists believed that superior traits were key to maintaining an enlightened civilization (Purcell, 2015). As a result of the eugenic goals for strict immigration control trait reproduction in America, the federal Immigration Act of 1924 was established to limit the entry of immigrants through a national origins quota. It was because of these laws and ideations of Social Darwinism and eugenics that contributed to poorly shaping immigrant experience in the United States in the early twentieth …show more content…
In contrast, individuals who supported these ideas found justification in classifying individuals as inferior through the biological reasoning under Darwinism and Eugenics. According to research, “Most propose arguments that justify imbalances of power between individuals, races, and nations because they consider some people more fit to survive than others” (Bannister, 2000, p. 1). Justification of classifying individuals as inferior and giving poor treatment toward these people also came from Francis Galton’s word of setting out to improve the human race by dismissing those who possess negative traits. By supporting Eugenics and Social Darwinism, people such as the industrialists were convinced that the American society would only improve by riding society of people who are composed of those same traits found in people like criminals and or mentally ill individuals (Bannister,
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