USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM

[SOURCES]
What best describes the Social Darwinist Theory?

(A) The belief that groups of people are different

(B) The idea that humans came from apes

(C) ** The belief that one race/culture is naturally superior to another

(D) The thought that some people are naturally less social than others

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -Social Darwinists believe in “survival of the fittest”-the idea that certain people become powerful in society because they are innately better. Social Darwinism has been used to justify imperialism, racism, eugenics and social inequality at various times over the past century and a half.

Concept note-2: -Despite the fact that Social Darwinism bears Charles Darwin’s name, it is primarily linked today with others, notably Herbert Spencer, Thomas Malthus, and Francis Galton, the founder of eugenics. In fact, Spencer was not described as a social Darwinist until the 1930s, long after his death.

Concept note-3: -Many Social Darwinists embraced laissez-faire capitalism and racism. They believed that government should not interfere in the “survival of the fittest” by helping the poor, and promoted the idea that some races are biologically superior to others.