HIS-144-RS-Darwinism and American Society Worksheet

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Grand Canyon University *

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-144

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History

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Jun 11, 2024

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docx

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Name: Carrie Sokol Put your name on the top of this paper. Answer the questions in this worksheet in your own words, keeping quoted material to a minimum. You must cite the source you used to answer each question, and you need a references page at the end, with sources from the class. The assignment is generally focused on the impact that evolutionary thought had on American society during the nation’s industrial revolution. 1. How was Darwinism generally and eugenics specifically used to impact America’s immigration policies? (125-300 words) Social Darwinism, which provides a theoretical foundation for laws and social norms, has been heavily used to influence American immigration policies. Social Darwinism also had a racialist undertone, offering logical justification for laws and social practices that maintained African Americans, Indians, certain types of immigrants, and women as second-class citizens, frequently denied the right to vote and basic property ownership (Schultz, 2018). Darwinian notions, such as natural selection and survival of the fittest, were used to justify immigration quotas. Eugenicists believed that limiting immigration from inferior races would preserve the genetic quality of the American people. Eugenics was a popular societal philosophy at the time, aiming to improve genetic purity through the regulation of reproduction. This approach provided individuals with full citizenship and accelerated immigration procedures. Eugenics advocated allowing adult immigrants to enter the US due to their perceived special traits. Europeans are known for their mental stability and intelligence. It supported the passage of the Immigration Restriction Act in 1924. Darwinism has historically justified racism, eugenics, social injustice, and imperialism (Schultz, 2018). 2. How did the popularity and acceptance of Social Darwinism lead to the classification of some people as inferior? Who were the superior and who were the inferior? How were the inferior people treated differently? (125-300 words) In the United States, social Darwinism was widely accepted, therefore people were classed based on both physical and mental qualities. Social Darwinists characterized individuals who were unsuitable as the ‘evil’ of society. As a result, these individuals were consigned to a lesser social standing and deemed inferior (Schultz, 2018). They had fewer chances and opportunities because they were labeled as lower class. Individuals who were perceived to be stronger and more fit were more likely to be categorized as superior. Clarifications may arise due to factors such as ethnicity, religion, physical impairment, or unintentional biases. Natural selection and other reasons seem to predetermine people's contributions to society. Initially popular, the concept gradually faded over time, particularly after World Wars (Schultz, 2018). Unconscious bias can lead to an emphasis on classification and superiority over inferiority, even though the word is no longer often used.

3. Who were Fundamentalist Christians? What were some specific reasons that Fundamentalist Christians opposed Darwinism? (75-200 words) Fundamentalist Christians affirmed the essential set of Christian beliefs by living as if the Bible was perfect. Fundamentalist Christians argued that accepting evolution would result in moral relativism and the loss of traditional Christian values(Schultz,2018). They were concerned that Darwin's ideas would undermine human exceptionalism and the belief in a divine purpose for human existence. Mostly, these Christians opposed Darwinism because it went against the thinking of how God created humans and their way of life. Christianity and Darwinism seem to be two completely different aspects of thinking, and when intermixed, controversy is created. Darwinism introduces scientific thought into the previously commonly held Christian belief that man and woman were created from nothing. Fundamentalist Christians opposed Darwinism due to the intermixing of different perspectives. 4. What were the most impactful ways Darwinism affected American society? (125-300 words) Social Darwinism had a long-lasting impact on immigrants who immigrated to America, as well as how some Americans had to adjust to their new life in America. Darwinism is defined as the fundamental concept of natural selection. In subliminal words, humans rely heavily on survival of the fittest. This would assist in justifying how society viewed immigrants. American society was built based on the attributes that Americans possessed; those who were categorized as superior could do anything they wanted and treat those designated as inferior in whatever they pleased. Darwinism had a significant impact on American society, leading to increasing racism and a shift in interpersonal relationships (Motyl, 2000). The belief that white people were superior and better than people of color justified racism and enabled them to treat others unfairly. The objective of creating a superior race caused harm to many people. Racism was a major issue, since both Nazis and individuals in American culture discriminated against persons of color (Schultz, 2018).

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