Social Darwinism

What is Darwinism

The theory of evolution

What is the theory of evolution

Species wat food, water, & shelter

what is evolution?

certain genetic traits emerging that may give individuals an advantage in getting food, water, & shelter

what is Social Darwinism

people are born genetically inferior or superior

what happens if youre rich?

you’ve competed the best, so you must be genetically superior

What happens if youre poor

youre a bad competitor, so you must be inferior

what should govt do?

leave the poor & rich alone (don’t interfere with natural competition)

no limits on rich, no taxes, no help for the poor

Who was Herbert Spencer

Father of Social Darwinism

What did Herbert Spencer say?

People can pass learned traits genetically to their children (NOT TRUE)

What traits do the fit inherit

hardworking, good with money, a desire to own property

what do the unfit inherit

laziness, immorality, stupidity

Why is he wrong?

Humans can predict the future & read the past (Change our environment)

What did social darwinists in the US oppose

opposed aid to the poor, laws that plalced limits on cut-throat competition, and efforts to regulate working conditions in the nations factories

What did socia darwinists expect to happen when the West was settled by the europeanns?

they woud conquer th whole world

Whatt was the Plessy vs Ferguson supreme court decision about?

abiding b the 14th amendment, but still separating people by race - made unequ separation ilegal

Whaat did the PvF decision allow?

it allowed Jim Ccrow laws. the impact was extreme segregation and unequal treatment