Darwinism and American Society

Mitzi Best

HIS-144

October 2, 2016

Dr. McMurray

Darwinism and American Society

The English naturalist who influenced the knowledge about life on Earth is known as Charles Darwin, he lived from 1809-1882.  Darwin has famously known for his work the Theory of evolution by natural selection.  By the end of his studies, he unified the theory of life science.  Charles Darwin did his utmost in the publication of the Origin of Species; he wanted it presented as a theory of evolution as an idea that it was compatible with belief in God (Dixon, 2009).  Although the British find Darwin’s ideas to be fascinating, the settlements in America did not find his theory of evolution to coincide with their faith.  America was not only trying to solve interdenominational religious strife which caused the confrontation between Darwinism and Creationism they also had to contend with Social Darwinism, Eugenics and opposing Fundamentalists Christians and how these all shaped immigrant experience.

When it comes to the case of Darwin and human evolution, he avoided making comments about the subject, fearing prejudice readers against his general theory (Larson, 2009).  However, in Darwin’s private writings there are comparisons between native people of Tierra de Fuego, he thought them to be the lowest form of humanity and compared them to Orangutans in the London Zoo (Larson, 2009).  In 1871 Darwin was able to be in the frame of mind on the subject human evolution and put forth his work Descent of Man.  “The sole object of this work, he wrote, is to consider, firstly, whether man, like every other species, is descended from some pre-existing form; secondly, the manner of his development; and thirdly, the value of the differences between the so-called races of man” (Larson, 2009).

At first, religious teachings taught in public schools then a significant political doctrine arose from this culture, and there was a need for separation of church and state.  Once the US Constitution denied Congress from passing any laws respecting an establishment of religion, then signs of trouble started to show in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee (Dixon, 2009).  Numbers explored the anti-Darwinism of the South with the climax famous Scopes trial of 1925 (Conser, 1999).  “This was one of many states that banned the teaching of evolution in their public schools during the 1920s” (Dixon, 2009).  This was part of the Fundamentalists Christians opposing Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Social Darwinism described like plants and animals, complete for existence in natural selection.  When Social Darwinists looked at upper grades specimens, the settlement sought to polish and display whereas the lower classes were urban savages whom must be removed as soon as possible for the welfare of the community (Bender, 2008).  Eugenics was a movement centered on the belief that it was possible to improve human species by discouraging or outlawing reproduction by people who had undesirable traits (Schultz, (2014).  At times these men and women would be taken to have their tubes tied to ensure reproduction could not happen (Keas, 2010).  Therefore, ensuring that the fittest remained at the top of the human species and the desirable traits be passed on to future generations.

Furthermore, the impact that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution had on new America brought about much controversy.  The Fundamentalist Christians fought to keep evolution from being taught in public schools and still tried to find ways to bring religious teachings back.  Social Darwinists worked to keep young boys and girls fit by having gymnasiums open; this would ensure they would be at the top of human species.  Then ending with Eugenics and the possibility to improve the human species by outlawing or medical procedure to those with undesirable traits.  One can say that this is much hassle over one man’s theory, instead of such extremes could these others just chose not to believe in the theory?

References

Bender, D. E. (2008). Perils of Degeneration: Reform, The Savage Immigrant, and the Survival of the Unfit. Journal Of Social History, 42(1), 5-29.

Conser, W. J. (1999). Darwinism Comes to America. Church History, (3),

Dixon, T. (2009). America's Difficulty With Darwin. History Today, 59(2), 22-28.

Keas, M. N. (2010). Darwinism, Fundamentalism, and R. A. Torrey. Perspectives On Science & Christian Faith, 62(1), 25-51.

Larson, E. J. (2009). The Reception of Darwinism in the Nineteenth Century: A Three Part Story. Science & Christian Belief, 21(1), 3-24.