Social Darwinism Theory: Charles Darwin and the theory of Darwinism
The Social Darwinism
theory expanded the originally theories of Darwinism. What was the
theory of Darwinism?
● Social Darwinism was based
on the theories of evolution developed by British naturalist
Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882), which had focused on the evolution
of plants and animals. The Darwinism theory was explained in his
famous 1859 work called "On the Origin of Species"
● The work of Charles Darwin
evolved as then applied his theory of natural selection in
plants and animals, specifically to people in his 1871 book "The
Descent of Man"
● His theory explained in
"The Descent of Man" was criticized by some as justifying harsh
social policies and the living conditions of the poor
Social Darwinism Theory: Herbert Spencer and the "Survival of
the Fittest"
The person most
associated with the Social Darwinism theory was the British
sociologist Herbert Spencer (1820 – 1903).
● Herbert Spencer published
his ideas on the theory of evolution in an essay entitled 'The
Development Hypothesis' on March 20, 1852, seven years before
Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species was published
● Herbert Spencer first
coined the phrase "survival of the fittest" in his 1864
'Principles of Biology', after reading Charles Darwin’s Origin
of Species
● Spencer used the phrase
"survival of the fittest" to human society describing the
outcome of competition between social groups. Spencer wrote,
"This survival of the
fittest, which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms is
what Mr. Darwin has called ‘natural selection’,
or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life."
● In his 1851 'Social
Statistics' Spencer he opposed welfare systems, compulsory
sanitation, free public schools and any form of ‘poor law’ and
argued in other works that through competition social evolution
would automatically produce prosperity and personal liberty
unparalleled in human history
Social Darwinism Theory
Social Darwinism was
similar to the theory of Darwinism but applied its biological
concepts of human evolution to sociology and politics. Social
Darwinism developed in Great Britain and America during the late
19th and early 20th centuries. The term "Social Darwinism" has been
rarely used by advocates of the concepts and ideologies of the
theory. The term "Social Darwinism" has almost always been used as a
derogatory term by its opponents and in respect of unfair business
practices. Social Darwinism was used as a
philosophical rationalization for the imperialist and racist
policies of the Nazi Party that led to the outbreak of World War 2.
Social Darwinism Theory: Concepts and Theories
The theories and concepts of Social Darwinism are included the
following chart. Because there
were so many ideas that supported the theory of Social Darwinism the
proponents of the theory tended to agree with specific aspects,
rather than all of the theories.
Social Darwinism Theory and Concepts
Social Darwinism Theory: Imbalances of power between
individuals and races were justified because some people
were more fit to survive than others
Social Darwinism Theory: Some people were superior to others
due to their inherent characteristics and moral
attributes such as industriousness, temperance,
diligence and ingenuity
Social Darwinism Theory: People with strength (physical,
economic and technological) would survive, and those
without will not
Social Darwinism Theory: The theory of Social Darwinism was
used to support Free Enterprise and 'laissez-faire'
capitalism combined with political conservatism during
the Gilded Era
Social Darwinism Theory: The concept of Social Darwinism attempted to
justify and rationalize ideas of imperialism, hereditarianism and
racism
Social Darwinism Theory: The idea that some racial or social
groups (white and wealthy) were "naturally" superior to
other groups
Social Darwinism Theory: Proponents believed that Governments
should not interfere with competition in successful
businesses by attempting to regulate working practices
and the economy
Social Darwinism Theory: The belief that it was not the
function of the Government to cure social problems
Social Darwinism Theory: The process of natural selection
would result in the survival of the best competitors and
continued improvements in society and the population
Social Darwinism Theory and Concepts
Social Darwinism in America: American Supporters of Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism in
America emerged as Herbert Spencer gained considerable support among
intellectuals and leading businessmen such as teacher and academic
William Graham Sumner, historian John Fiske, banker John D.
Rockefeller, naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan and
railroad magnate James J. Hill and
steel magnate Andrew Carnegie.
Social Darwinism in America: Free Enterprise and 'Laissez-Faire'
The theory of Social Darwinism
was embraced by many leaders of American
Big Business and
Corporations. These powerful companies
accumulated vast profits that flourished in
the American economic system of Free Enterprise which was combined
with the concept of 'Laissez-Faire'. The economic system of Free enterprise
enabled American Big Business and Corporations to
operate in competition, largely free of state regulation or control. The
concept of 'Laissez-faire' economics relied on supply and
demand, rather than government intervention, to regulate prices and
wages.
Social Darwinism in America: Liberalism
Many of the wealthy
businessmen who embraced Social Darwinism also adhered to the
concept of Liberalism believing that all social problems, including
environmental ones, could and should be solved through the free
market.
Social Darwinism in America: American Industrialists and the
Robber Barons
Social Darwinism in
America was supported by many wealthy American
Industrialists, often referred to as the
Robber Barons
who advocated a "dog-eat-dog" philosophy.
John D. Rockefeller and James J. Hill, publicly justified
their ruthless and cutthroat business practices in terms of Social
Darwinism. The powerful industrialist maintained that individual
self-interest was socially beneficial and that free trade and
competition was a permanent and necessary law of economics.
Social Darwinism in America: Captains of Industry
Steel magnate Andrew
Carnegie hosted Herbert Spencer's visit to America in 1883
but attempted to soften the harsh philosophy of Social Darwinism by
publishing his 1889 article called the 'Gospel of Wealth'. His
'Gospel of Wealth' described the responsibility of philanthropy by
the new upper class of self-made rich to further social progress.
Andrew Carnegie was as good as his word and donated millions of
dollars to charitable causes and perhaps should be referred to as
one of the
Captains
of Industry.
Social Darwinism in America: The Industrial
Revolution and the Industrialization of America
The theory of Social Darwinism
thrived during the era of the
Second American
Industrial Revolution when the nation progressed from the
Industrial Age of Iron into the Age of Steel
when new inventions and massive corporations emerged that utilized
steel, electricity and oil. The effects of
Industrialization in America transformed the country from
an agricultural to an industrial society. Open rural lifestyles were
replaced by congested City lifestyles. Industrialization changed the
lives of Americans forever, bringing about complex economic and
social changes. The Industrialization of America led to the
increased mechanization of industries and the emergence
of Factories and the Factory System based in towns and
cities which led to the Urbanization of America.
The Backlash against
Social Darwinism in America: Urbanization
The backlash against
the theory Social Darwinism in America emerged during the process of
American Urbanization when
vast numbers of immigrants, a lack of town planning and the greed of
the wealthy industrialists resulted in the rapid growth of cities.
The massive rises in the population
were fueled by unprecedented
Immigration levels
that peaked between 1901 - 1910 when 8,795,386 immigrants
arrived in the United States looking for work, new
opportunities and a better standard of living. People flocked to the
already crowded towns and cities. The Urbanization of America led
to: ● Squalid living conditions
for the poor
● Class separation
● Unhygienic, unsanitary and
unsafe working conditions
● An increase in
Child Labor
● A rise in poverty leading
to increased crime and alcohol consumption
● Political bribery and
corruption
● Social
unrest that led to riots and strikes
by workers
The Backlash against
Social Darwinism in America: Reform Movements and the Progressive
Era
The Backlash against Social Darwinism
in America was inevitable, people began to protest
against the idea of the "survival of the fittest"
and numerous
Reform Movements emerged, including Reform
Darwinism, that gave rise to the
Progressive Era
in America. The Progressive Movement encompassed the
problems of urbanization, industrialization and
child labor. The Progressive Movement also covered
social reform issues relating to female suffrage,
education, working conditions and unionization. The
Progressive Movement also called for political
reforms attacking bribery and corruption of the
political machines and the regulation of business
and reducing the power of the Robber Barons and
Industrialists.
Backlash against
Social Darwinism in America: President Theodore Roosevelt
Many
wealthy and powerful industrialists who advocated
Social Darwinism held the view that the government
was an inefficient agency that should not be
involved in economic matters. Not surprisingly,
President Theodore Roosevelt disagreed with this
view and decided to take on the Trusts (large,
merged corporations). His victory in the
legal case against the
Northern
Securities Company owned by J.P. Morgan, James
J. Hill and E.H. Harriman gave Roosevelt the name of
"trustbuster".
President Roosevelt became the most influential
leaders of the Progressive Movement.
Backlash against
Social Darwinism: Reform Darwinists
The backlash
against Social Darwinism grew stronger as
Reform Darwinists argued that people needed new
ideas and institutions as they adapted to changing
conditions. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver
Wendell Holmes, Jr. reasoned that the U.S.
Constitution should be reinterpreted in light of the
changes in American society. The validity of his
reasoning was confirmed as the Constitution was
subsequently amended to progressive reforms that
included the 17th amendment to counter Senate
corruption, the 18th Amendment prohibiting the sale
and manufacture of alcohol and the 19th Amendment
giving women the right to vote.
Social Darwinism for kids: Eugenics
Visitors interested in Social Darwinism might also
be interested in
the following articles:
Black
History for kids: Important People and Events
For visitors interested in African American History
refer to
Black History - People and Events.
A useful resource
for teachers, kids, schools and colleges
undertaking projects for the Black History
Month.
Social Darwinism for kids - President Theodore Roosevelt Video
The article on the Social Darwinism provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 26th American President whose presidency spanned from September 14, 1901 to March 4, 1909.
Social Darwinism
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Facts about the Social Darwinism in America for kids and schools
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Summary of the Social Darwinism in US history
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Summary of Social Darwinism Theory
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The names of supporters of the Social Darwinism Theory
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Fast, fun facts about the Social Darwinism heory
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Foreign & Domestic
policies of President Theodore Roosevelt
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Theodore Roosevelt Presidency and
Social Darwinism for schools,
homework, kids and children
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