Social Darwinism

Social Darwinism

The theory is applied to society:

Middle Class Americans who were deemed "fit to live" tried to express their biological, racial, and social superiority by living a comfortable lifestyle that was both stylish and modest.

The act of buying and showing off wealth was thought to help reitterate

Herbert Spencer was a leading theorist in the concept of Social Darwinism. wrote "Principals of Biology" in 1864

He wrote "Principals of Biology" (1864) which explained his beliefs in how the success and survival of people are determined by their racial and genetic makeup.

"Survival of the Fittest" Mentality

Those who were deemed "unfit" to live were immigrants from non-Anglo-Saxon origins.

Non-Anglo-Saxon immigrants: Italians, Irish, Italians, Asian, Hispanic, African-Americans, Africans, Eastern Europeans

In American society, the "fittest" were people of Anglo-Saxon origin.

Anglo-Saxon: mainly people from Great Britain, Nordic areas (aka those who are white, speak English)

When applied to people, it means that those who are smartest, strongest, and most "racially pure" will succeed in life

Derives from Charles Darwin's theory of "Survival of the Fittest"