Mrs. Ruland's U.S. History Class Project
Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism is the theory of “survival of the fittest”, based from Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. This theory formed by Herbert Spencer, Thomas Malthus, and Francis Galton is the application of Darwin’s theory to the economic and social aspects of a community. In the struggle for dominance and the upper hand in society, those with the things they need to succeed will do so, and those who cannot find a way to succeed will not, thereby eliminating themselves from society. This principle ruled life for American society during the early 1900s.
Encarta provides a detailed overview of the concept of Social Darwinism. It explains the theory, the basis of the theory from Darwin’s natural selection, and the applications of this theory to American society in history.
This educational designed web site explains the concept of Social Darwinism. This web site also compares the positives effects of Social Darwinism to the problems it created in society. The site compares the theory created by Darwin to the theory of Social Darwinism.
Herbert Spencer: Social Darwinism 1857
This site, from the Modern History Sourcebook, gives an excerpt from an article written by Herbert Spencer, a creator of the term Social Darwinism. This in-depth article explains Social Darwinism and what it means.
Institutions, Theories on Population, and Social Darwinism
This article written by Brock MacKay is a general article about the theories of society during the 1800s and 1900s. This source explains the theory of Social Darwinism and its impact on society during this time.
This article from an educational web site brings up the interesting points behind Social Darwinism. It explains the assumptions and potential problems of Social Darwinism.
By Emily and Casey
Last updated March 28, 2008
© Marcella Ruland 1998-2008, All rights reserved
