Copy+of+Social+Darwinism+

.docx

School

Los Angeles Valley College *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

110

Subject

Arts Humanities

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by DeaconRhinocerosMaster714

Social Darwinism and its Effects on the American Mindset By USHistory.org on 05.08.17 This cartoon from the magazine "Puck" in 1899 shows Uncle Sam lecturing four children labelled the Philippines, Hawaii, Porto Rico and Cuba in front of children holding books labelled with various U.S. states. In the background are caricatures of an Indigenous American boy holding a book upside down, a Chinese American boy standing at the door and a Black American boy cleaning a window. The caption reads: "School Begins. Uncle Sam (to his new class in Civilization). 'Now, children, you've got to learn these lessons whether you want to or not! But just take a look at the class ahead of you, and remember that, in a little while, you will feel as glad to be here as they are!'" The blackboard reads: "The consent of the governed is a good thing in theory, but very rare in fact." Not everybody was getting rich in the Gilded Age of the late 1800s. The new wealthy class, although more prominent, larger and richer than any class in American history, was still rather small. People soon began to ask fundamental questions. How did one get rich in America? Was it because of a combination of hard work and intelligence? Was it because of inheritance? Did education and skill play a role? Or was it simply luck? Old attitudes about the importance of inheritance were still prevalent, but new ideas also emerged. Among the most popular were Social Darwinism and the Gospel of Wealth. "Survival of the fittest" This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. When a popular conception of "survival of the fittest" grew from Charles Darwin's idea of the process of natural selection in the wild, the world was forever changed. Church leaders condemned him as a heretic, and ordinary people everywhere cringed at the idea that humans may have evolved from apes. It was inevitable that intellectuals would soon point Darwin's concepts at human society. These Social Darwinists, led by Herbert Spencer and William Graham Sumner, believed that the humans who were the most fit became the most successful. The people who had the necessary skills to prosper —

perhaps talent, brains or hard work — would be the ones who would rise to the top. Why were some people poor? To the Social Darwinist, the answer was obvious. They simply did not have the required skills. Social Darwinists went further in their application of Darwin. Darwin stated that the weaker members of a species in nature would die and that over time only the stronger genes would be passed on. Social Darwinists believed the same should happen with humans. They opposed government handouts, safety regulations and laws restricting child labor. Such actions would coddle the weak, and the unfit would be allowed to survive. Gospel of Wealth Some Americans tried to reconcile their Christian beliefs with Social Darwinism. Because the church had been such an opponent of Darwin's ideas, it was difficult for religious folks to accept Social Darwinism. Andrew Carnegie and John Rockefeller both agreed that the most successful people were the ones with the necessary skills. But they each believed that God played a role in deciding who got the skills. Because God granted a select few with the talent to be successful, Christian virtue demanded that some of that money be shared. This is where the difference lies between the hardcore Social Darwinist and the proponent of the Gospel of Wealth. Carnegie and Rockefeller became philanthropists — wealthy citizens who donated large sums of money for the public good. Building an empire Many different groups pushed for American expansion overseas. Industrialists sought new markets for their products and sources for cheaper resources. Nationalists claimed that colonies were a hallmark of national prestige. The European powers had already claimed much of the globe; America would have to compete or perish. Missionaries continually preached to spread their messages of faith. Social Darwinists such as Josiah Strong believed that American civilization was superior to others and that it was an American's duty to diffuse its benefits. Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote an influential thesis declaring that throughout history, those that controlled the seas controlled the world. Acquiring naval bases at strategic points around the world was imperative. Before 1890, American lands consisted of little more than the contiguous states and Alaska. By the end of World War I, America could boast a global empire. American Samoa and Hawaii were added in the 1890s by force. The Spanish-American War brought Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines under the American flag. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine declared the entire Western Hemisphere an American sphere of influence. Through initial negotiation and eventual intimidation, the United States secured the rights to build and operate a canal in Panama. The German naval threat in World War I prompted the purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. The country that had once fought to throw off imperial shackles was now itself an empire. With the economic and strategic benefits came the expected difficulties. Filipinos fought a bloody struggle for independence. America became entangled with distant conflicts to defend the new claims. Regardless of the nobility or self-interest of the intent, the United States was now poised to claim its role as a world power in the 20th century. Questions below 1. According to Social Darwinists, why were some people poor during the Gilded Age?

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help