History of the United States II / Unit 4 USH2 0477 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Social Darwinism
Captions available
The idea
Herbert Spencer applied Darwin's theory to society and popularised the phrase survival of the fittest, arguing that social position reflected fitness.
In practice
Yale's William Graham Sumner, its leading American voice, arguing that government should keep its hands off the economy.
Where people slip
Critics said it ignored unequal opportunity. The idea fell into disrepute in the nineteen thirties and forties, when eugenicists used it.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
- Nothing. This is a starting point.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for History of the United States II