The Gilded Age Copy (2)

Anti-Semitism

• Definition: Hatred for the Jewish people.

• Historical Context: Increased significantly during periods of massive immigration.

• Media Representation: Portrayed negatively in media and propaganda.

• Societal Impact: Banned from living spaces, public places, and jobs.

Social Darwinism

• Overview: Adaptation of Charles Darwin’s theories of "survival of the fittest" to human society.

• Philosophy: It suggests that people succeed because they are designed for success, and those who fail are also designed to fail.

• Perception of Poverty: Poor individuals are viewed as having inherent flaws.

• Consequences: Leads to imperialism, eugenics, and mistreatment of individuals deemed "unfit."

Quote on Social Darwinism

• William Graham Sumner Quote: "A drunkard in the gutter is just where he ought to be, according to the fitness and tendency of things... Nature has set upon him the process of decline and dissolution..."

Eugenics

• Definition: The science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics.

• Interdisciplinary Approach: Draws materials from various fields including biology, psychology, genetics, sociology, and politics.

Eugenics in Practice

• Virginia Sterilization Act of 1924: Allowed sterilization of individuals considered to have hereditary insanity, leading to around 8000 sterilizations from 1927-1979.

• Buck v. Bell (1927): Supreme Court upheld the law stating, "three generations of imbeciles are enough," resulting in over 70,000 sterilizations disproportionately affecting poor and minority groups.

• Nazi Germany: Passed the Law for Protection Against Genetically Defective Offspring in 1933, conducting 400,000 sterilizations and initiating the T4 program which led to the murder of 250,000 disabled individuals.

The Brighter Side: The Social Gospel

• Philosophy: Emphasizes Christian responsibility to help those in need.

• Manifestation: Faith should be expressed through good works and social justice initiatives.

Benevolent Societies

• Purpose: Created specifically to assist immigrants.

• Services Offered: Job searches, education, English-language lessons, workers' compensation, childcare, and support for various needs.

Settlement Houses

• Introduction: First opened in 1889 in Chicago by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr.

• Mission: Operated in impoverished neighborhoods to aid the poor and needy.

• Services: Provided food, childcare, job skills training, and education.

• Growth: By 1910, there were 400 settlement houses across the United States, staffed primarily by middle-class, educated female volunteers.

The Salvation Army

• Services: Provided food, job assistance, job training, and other necessities while promoting the Gospel.

The YMCA and the YWCA

• Mission: Established to help immigrant youth by providing wholesome entertainment and opportunities for physical fitness and sports.

The YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) was established to assist immigrant youth by providing wholesome entertainment and opportunities for physical fitness and sports. Its significance lies in promoting community building, health, and social engagement among young people, particularly those who were marginalized during the industrial era.