Charles Darwin's Theory Of Eugenics

By the end of the 19th century, rapid developments in the science’s and social science’s had emerged and increased in popularity. Men such as Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, and many others had all made miraculous advances within their specific fields, leading to a much more enlightened way of thinking. The world at this time was rapidly expanding, and with it came changes for the good and for the bad. Perhaps the most groundbreaking discovery was in fact Darwin’s theory of evolution which challenged biblical claims and gave scientific evidence to the development of man. However, the theory would prove to come with vast consequences on a global scale. Despite the growing acceptance of Social Darwinism and the ideology of Eugenics,
He is held in such high regard that among his death in 1882 he was buried among Britain’s most honored at Westminster Abbey. In 1859, Darwin published his most notable work, on the Origin of Species. In the book, Darwin argued that “life on Earth had taken shape over countless millions of years before humans existed and that human life was the result this slow development, called evolution” (Hunt, 738). This was an astonishing discovery that opened up many doors for science and knowledge as a whole. Despite the magnitude of Darwin’s work, many were skeptical about the theory as it deliberately opposed biblical word. In regards to Darwin’s theory author Lynn Hunt writes, “This theory directly challenged the Judeo-Christian dogma that god miraculously brought this universe and all life into being in six days, as described in the bible. Instead Darwin held that life developed from lower forms through a primal battle for survival and through the sexual selection of mates—a process he called natural selection” (Hunt, 738). Overtime, Darwin’s theory would increase in popularity and by the 20th century would be accepted by the majority of scholars. By the late 19th and early 20th century, Darwin’s theory would be used to fuel certain political conquests as well as popularize the importance of
In the same year an editorial from the San Francisco Call argued for an anti-imperialism by making a mockery of Kipling’s poem and messages. The editorialist writes, “It seems we are to infer from this that if we do not consent to send forth the best we breed to serve in exile amid the jungles of tropic islands for the noble purpose of imposing American law and civilization upon the mongrel races, half devil half child, we shall lose the esteem of European powers now engaged in that task, and possibly the esteem of Mr. Kipling also” (220). Here the author argues that Kipling’s reasons that America will lose the respect of its European allies if they do not follow in the Imperialist path. Additionally, the author of from the San Francisco Call provides logical reasoning why pursing imperialism is not in the best interest of America. The author writes, “The pursuit of imperialism has raised up antagonists to Great Britain in every part of the world; it has imposed upon her people in a heavy burden of debt and taxation; it has disturbed her politics by the continual menace of war and thus prevented the accomplishment of many needed reforms at home; and finally it has brought her into a position where without an ally she is confronted by a hostile world and is in danger of having her commerce, and perhaps even her empire, swept away at the first outbreak of war” (221). In addition to the harm