This paper is an examination of the development of social darwinist theory, its relationship to t... more This paper is an examination of the development of social darwinist theory, its relationship to the philosophy of eugenics, and the impact of both on socio-political structures in the United States. The paper is divided into three sections, beginning with the early observations of Charles Darwin and the social extension of his work by Herbert Spencer. The second section discusses the research methods of Francis Galton as well as the coining of the term 'eugenics,' and explores the application of such research and ideology on the developing science of psychology by Henry Goddard. The final section explores the politicized work of Charles Davenport and Madison Grant, who called for drastic legislation across the United States, culminating in the passage of the 1924 Immigration Act and National Origins Act which would dictate US immigration policy for the next four decades. The paper had originally intended to discuss contemporary opposition to these ideologies and does so superficially, although a more extensive study would discuss the work and influence of those such as Lester Frank Ward, Peter Kropotkin, and John Dewey. Additionally, ending this study with the 1924 Immigration Act is not meant to suggest that this legislation marks an culmination in the study of eugenics in the United States or elsewhere-rather, in a more complete or extensive work the 1924 legislation would be a symbol of the height to which to ideology of social darwinism reached, in addition to such other symbols as the 'Red Scare' and the revival of the Ku Klux Klan. Finally, this paper focused heavily on claims made against 'immigrant races' without looking at how the eugenics movement or philosophy of social darwinism impacted any group specifically. To do so would expand the scope of this study far beyond its purpose, but to be sure would be entirely appropriate and probably necessary for a more comprehensive analysis of the impact of social darwinism, and should include Native American, Mexican American, African American, and other non-white citizens as well as immigrating populations.
The outbreak and aftermath of the American Civil War forced a profound social, cultural, and poli... more The outbreak and aftermath of the American Civil War forced a profound social, cultural, and political evolution in the United States. The debate over the institution of slavery changed during this new post-Emancipation era to consider concepts of race-relations and an upheaval of traditional social orders and expectations. The War left deep fractures across American society, and the process of stitching closed our national wounds fell heavily upon the institution which has throughout our history guided American thoughtthat is, the American Press. Partisan in nature, newspapers in the United States have always held an important role in the democracy of its society, but in this nation reborn a significant theme of American journalism evolved to foster the redevelopment of the pre-war caste system. While to be sure there existed African-American newspapers, these were seldom read outside relatively small circles and the journalism they printed was often disregarded as fictional if or when it disagreed with white coverage. Partisanship among the major newspapers found common ground in the suppression of events which contrasted with the narrative of white superiority, and the journalistic coverage of racial violence became fraught with internal bias and inaccuracy. The reporting of the racial terrorism faced by African-American communities nationwide allowed for, endorsed, and in some instances encouraged a culture of violence and oppression long after emancipation. This paper will identify two unique events of such post-Reconstruction violence: the 1887 Sugar Strike in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and the 1898 Riots in Wilmington, NC. These two events stand out among a tremendous quantity of documented examples of 19th century racial violence. The massacre of unarmed black sugar-laborers in 1887 resulted in the termination of any attempt to unionize or challenge unjust systems of labor by agro-workers in the South for half a century; hailed as a victory for Jim Crow, the Thibodaux Massacre reaffirmed a subjugated status for 2 African-American labor just as the South began to industrialize. 1 Wilmington, North Carolina would see a political manifestation of the same subjugation ten years later when white supremacists launched a coup and overthrew the democratically elected Republican and partially
This paper is an examination of the development of social darwinist theory, its relationship to t... more This paper is an examination of the development of social darwinist theory, its relationship to the philosophy of eugenics, and the impact of both on socio-political structures in the United States. The paper is divided into three sections, beginning with the early observations of Charles Darwin and the social extension of his work by Herbert Spencer. The second section discusses the research methods of Francis Galton as well as the coining of the term 'eugenics,' and explores the application of such research and ideology on the developing science of psychology by Henry Goddard. The final section explores the politicized work of Charles Davenport and Madison Grant, who called for drastic legislation across the United States, culminating in the passage of the 1924 Immigration Act and National Origins Act which would dictate US immigration policy for the next four decades. The paper had originally intended to discuss contemporary opposition to these ideologies and does so superficially, although a more extensive study would discuss the work and influence of those such as Lester Frank Ward, Peter Kropotkin, and John Dewey. Additionally, ending this study with the 1924 Immigration Act is not meant to suggest that this legislation marks an culmination in the study of eugenics in the United States or elsewhere-rather, in a more complete or extensive work the 1924 legislation would be a symbol of the height to which to ideology of social darwinism reached, in addition to such other symbols as the 'Red Scare' and the revival of the Ku Klux Klan. Finally, this paper focused heavily on claims made against 'immigrant races' without looking at how the eugenics movement or philosophy of social darwinism impacted any group specifically. To do so would expand the scope of this study far beyond its purpose, but to be sure would be entirely appropriate and probably necessary for a more comprehensive analysis of the impact of social darwinism, and should include Native American, Mexican American, African American, and other non-white citizens as well as immigrating populations.
The outbreak and aftermath of the American Civil War forced a profound social, cultural, and poli... more The outbreak and aftermath of the American Civil War forced a profound social, cultural, and political evolution in the United States. The debate over the institution of slavery changed during this new post-Emancipation era to consider concepts of race-relations and an upheaval of traditional social orders and expectations. The War left deep fractures across American society, and the process of stitching closed our national wounds fell heavily upon the institution which has throughout our history guided American thoughtthat is, the American Press. Partisan in nature, newspapers in the United States have always held an important role in the democracy of its society, but in this nation reborn a significant theme of American journalism evolved to foster the redevelopment of the pre-war caste system. While to be sure there existed African-American newspapers, these were seldom read outside relatively small circles and the journalism they printed was often disregarded as fictional if or when it disagreed with white coverage. Partisanship among the major newspapers found common ground in the suppression of events which contrasted with the narrative of white superiority, and the journalistic coverage of racial violence became fraught with internal bias and inaccuracy. The reporting of the racial terrorism faced by African-American communities nationwide allowed for, endorsed, and in some instances encouraged a culture of violence and oppression long after emancipation. This paper will identify two unique events of such post-Reconstruction violence: the 1887 Sugar Strike in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and the 1898 Riots in Wilmington, NC. These two events stand out among a tremendous quantity of documented examples of 19th century racial violence. The massacre of unarmed black sugar-laborers in 1887 resulted in the termination of any attempt to unionize or challenge unjust systems of labor by agro-workers in the South for half a century; hailed as a victory for Jim Crow, the Thibodaux Massacre reaffirmed a subjugated status for 2 African-American labor just as the South began to industrialize. 1 Wilmington, North Carolina would see a political manifestation of the same subjugation ten years later when white supremacists launched a coup and overthrew the democratically elected Republican and partially
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