History of EugenicsHistory of Eugenics

EugenicsEugenics: from the Greek “eugenes” for : from the Greek “eugenes” for “good birth” “good birth” [Greek] eu-[Greek] eu- = well = well [Greek] -[Greek] -suffix -genēssuffix -genēs = = born born

Good in stock, hereditarily endowed with Good in stock, hereditarily endowed with noble qualities noble qualities

Eugenics – well-born, or the study of ways Eugenics – well-born, or the study of ways of improving the physical and mental of improving the physical and mental characteristics of the human race.characteristics of the human race.

EugenicsEugenics is the study of methods to improve is the study of methods to improve the human race by controlling reproductionthe human race by controlling reproduction

EugenicEugenic thought and practice swept the world thought and practice swept the world from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century in a remarkable century in a remarkable transnational transnational phenomenon, phenomenon, important cultural and social important cultural and social movementmovement

Eugenics: Eugenics: liberal welfare measures in liberal welfare measures in emerging social-democratic states, feminist emerging social-democratic states, feminist ambitions for birth control, public health ambitions for birth control, public health campaigns, totalitarian dreams of the campaigns, totalitarian dreams of the ‘perfectibility of man’, ‘perfectibility of man’, ideologies of ‘race’, ideologies of ‘race’, social and racial hygiene, nation building and social and racial hygiene, nation building and welfare state, welfare state, social reformismsocial reformism

PlatoPlato argued that human baby argued that human baby production should be limited to production should be limited to people selected for desirable people selected for desirable qualitiesqualities

Tommaso Campanella’sTommaso Campanella’s (1568-(1568-1639)1639) [[late Renaissance] utopian late Renaissance] utopian treatise treatise La città del SoleLa città del Sole ( (City of City of the Sunthe Sun) ) 16231623, a community in , a community in which unions were arranged by a which unions were arranged by a Great Master (aided by chief Great Master (aided by chief matrons)matrons)

who allowed only superior youths to who allowed only superior youths to procreate.procreate.

1870-1914 1870-1914

Scientific Research and ConcernsScientific Research and Concerns EugenicsEugenics: Term coined in 1883 by Sir : Term coined in 1883 by Sir Francis Galton Francis Galton

(1822-1911) English scientist, half-English scientist, half-cousin of Charles cousin of Charles DarwinDarwin, , Father of eugenicsFather of eugenics

""the study of all agencies under human the study of all agencies under human control which can improve or impair the control which can improve or impair the racial quality of future generations”racial quality of future generations”

The publication by his cousin Charles Darwin of The publication by his cousin Charles Darwin of The The Origin of SpeciesOrigin of Species by Means of Natural Selectionby Means of Natural Selection (1859), (1859), (1859) changed Galton's life and ideas(1859) changed Galton's life and ideas

First chapter on "Variation under Domestication" First chapter on "Variation under Domestication" concerning the breeding of domestic animals. concerning the breeding of domestic animals.

Applied Applied Darwinian scienceDarwinian science to heredity and “good to heredity and “good birth”. The need for eugenics to save society from birth”. The need for eugenics to save society from "inferior" minds"inferior" minds

The Influence of Darwin on Galton’s Theory

Natural selectionNatural selection is the process by is the process by which traits become more or less which traits become more or less common in a population due to common in a population due to consistent effects upon the survival or consistent effects upon the survival or reproduction of their bearers. reproduction of their bearers.

It is a key mechanism of It is a key mechanism of evolutionevolution.. The The natural genetic variationnatural genetic variation within within

a population of organisms may cause a population of organisms may cause some individuals to some individuals to survive and survive and reproduce more successfullyreproduce more successfully than than others in their current environment.others in their current environment.

The Descent of Man, Selection in The Descent of Man, Selection in Relation to Sex Relation to Sex (1871)(1871)

Darwin applies Darwin applies evolutionary theory evolutionary theory to human evolutionto human evolution and details his and details his theory of theory of sexual selection sexual selection

Galton: Darwinian science to heredity and “good Galton: Darwinian science to heredity and “good birth”birth”

GaltonGalton: exploring variation in human populations, : exploring variation in human populations, measuring differences and similarities between measuring differences and similarities between generations, statistical law of heredity, study of twins to generations, statistical law of heredity, study of twins to differentiate the effects of heredity and environment on differentiate the effects of heredity and environment on human naturehuman nature

Hereditary GeniusHereditary Genius (1869), was the first social scientific (1869), was the first social scientific attempt to study genius and greatness.attempt to study genius and greatness.

1.inequality of human beings- 1.inequality of human beings- the fact that a few the fact that a few achieve distinction in life and most only modest or no achieve distinction in life and most only modest or no distinction at alldistinction at all

2. he attributed this inequality to heredity2. he attributed this inequality to heredity Letter to Darwin GaltonLetter to Darwin Galton : “The appearance of your : “The appearance of your

Origin of SpeciesOrigin of Species formed a real crisis in my life; your formed a real crisis in my life; your book drove away the constraint of my old superstition book drove away the constraint of my old superstition as if it had been a nightmare and was the first to give as if it had been a nightmare and was the first to give me freedom of thought”.me freedom of thought”.

Malthusian Theories of Population: Darwin and Malthusian Theories of Population: Darwin and Galton’s ReactionsGalton’s Reactions

In 1798, In 1798, Thomas Robert MalthusThomas Robert Malthus (1766-1834) an (1766-1834) an English economist, influential in political economy English economist, influential in political economy and demography, published the and demography, published the Essay on the Essay on the Principle of PopulationPrinciple of Population. .

Theory of PopulationTheory of Population: population increases : population increases exponentially and will therefore eventually outstrip exponentially and will therefore eventually outstrip food supply, dangers of overpopula-tion. (utopian food supply, dangers of overpopula-tion. (utopian society)society)

MalthusianismMalthusianism: proof of the impossibility of : proof of the impossibility of socialism, no society free of povertysocialism, no society free of poverty

DarwinDarwin: population pressure was the motor of : population pressure was the motor of competition within species and competition within competition within species and competition within species led to natural selectionspecies led to natural selection

GaltonGalton: : 1.Malthusian checks to population growth –disease, 1.Malthusian checks to population growth –disease,

war and famine- had failed in modern societywar and famine- had failed in modern society 2. The characteristics in the individual which led to 2. The characteristics in the individual which led to

unchecked population growth were flourishing unchecked population growth were flourishing (differential fertility between social classes)(differential fertility between social classes)

statistical methods to the study of human statistical methods to the study of human differences and inheritance of intelligence differences and inheritance of intelligence (questionnaires and surveys for collecting data on (questionnaires and surveys for collecting data on human communities, genealogical and human communities, genealogical and biographical works and anthropometric studies). biographical works and anthropometric studies).

The mathematical approach to the examination of The mathematical approach to the examination of individual differences individual differences

An investigator of the An investigator of the human mindhuman mind. He gave . He gave statistical legacy to statistical legacy to psychometricspsychometrics (the science (the science of measuring mental faculties).of measuring mental faculties).

Study of human abilities ultimately led to the foundation of differential psychology and the formulation of the first mental tests.

First Psychometric Laboratory: University of Cambridge James McKeen Cattell 1887

A pioneer in eugenics, coining the term itself and the A pioneer in eugenics, coining the term itself and the phrase phrase “nature versus nurture”“nature versus nurture”

The The nature versus nurturenature versus nurture debate concerns the debate concerns the – relative importance of an individual's innate qualities relative importance of an individual's innate qualities

(nature) versus (nature) versus – personal experiences (nurture) in determining or personal experiences (nurture) in determining or

causing individual differences in physical and causing individual differences in physical and behavioural traitsbehavioural traits

Galton's formulation of eugenics was based on a strong Galton's formulation of eugenics was based on a strong statistical approach, influenced heavily by Adolphe statistical approach, influenced heavily by Adolphe Quetelet's (Belgian Quetelet's (Belgian mathematician and statistician, 1796-1874, mathematician and statistician, 1796-1874, Treatise on Treatise on ManMan) )

Quetelet: ‘social physics’- probability and Quetelet: ‘social physics’- probability and statisticsstatistics appliedapplied to social science to social science [complexity [complexity of social phenomena, variables, measurement of social phenomena, variables, measurement (crime rates, suicide rates)] and statistical (crime rates, suicide rates)] and statistical regularities. regularities.

Relationship between mental and moral Relationship between mental and moral characters and human anatomy (Gall, Lavater)characters and human anatomy (Gall, Lavater)

Improving future generations by encouraging the Improving future generations by encouraging the “best”“best” in society to have more children in society to have more children

Culling defectives and degenerates from the population Culling defectives and degenerates from the population to promote and preserve the fittestto promote and preserve the fittest

The proper evolution of the human race was thwarted The proper evolution of the human race was thwarted by philanthropic outreach to the poor when such efforts by philanthropic outreach to the poor when such efforts encouraged them to bear more children.encouraged them to bear more children.

Charity upset the mechanism of natural selection.Charity upset the mechanism of natural selection.

Hence, the human race needed a kind of Hence, the human race needed a kind of artificial artificial selectionselection: eugenics. : eugenics.

By the 1860s he had popularized programs of human By the 1860s he had popularized programs of human improvement through competitions for marriage improvement through competitions for marriage partners, where only "best" would marry "best.“partners, where only "best" would marry "best.“

Galton spoke of eugenics as the Galton spoke of eugenics as the ‘new religion of the ‘new religion of the future’future’

He hoped to convert the next generations to the new He hoped to convert the next generations to the new scientistic faith that these new converts would establish scientistic faith that these new converts would establish eugenics as a universally recognized science.eugenics as a universally recognized science.

‘‘Positive eugenics’Positive eugenics’

Sir Francis Galton established research programme which embraced many aspects of human variation: mental established research programme which embraced many aspects of human variation: mental characteristics to height, from facial images to fingerprint patterns characteristics to height, from facial images to fingerprint patterns Technique called ‘Composite Portraiture’ described in detail in Inquiries in human faculty and its development, which he believed could be used to identify types by appearance. He hoped his technique would aid medical diagnosis, and even criminology through the identification of typical criminal faces. However, he was forced to conclude after exhaustive experimentation that such types were not attainable in practice.

Galton and his statistical heir Galton and his statistical heir Karl PearsonKarl Pearson developed the developed the ’biometrical approach to ’biometrical approach to eugenics’eugenics’ (new and complex statistical (new and complex statistical models to describe the heredity of traits) models to describe the heredity of traits)

With the re-discovery of the Austrian monk With the re-discovery of the Austrian monk and scientist, and scientist, Gregor Mendel's Gregor Mendel's (1822-1884) (1822-1884) hereditary laws: study of the inheritance of hereditary laws: study of the inheritance of certain traits in pea plants. [certain traits in pea plants. [Law of Law of SegregationSegregation and the and the Law of Independent Law of Independent Assortment]Assortment]

Two separate camps of eugenics Two separate camps of eugenics advocates emerged. advocates emerged.

One was made up of One was made up of statisticiansstatisticians, the other , the other of of biologistsbiologists. .

Statisticians thought the biologists had Statisticians thought the biologists had exceptionally crude mathematical models exceptionally crude mathematical models while biologists thought the statisticians knew while biologists thought the statisticians knew little about biology.little about biology.

Karl Pearson (1857-1936)Karl Pearson (1857-1936) Galton bequeathed his Chair of Eugenics at the Galton bequeathed his Chair of Eugenics at the

University of London to University of London to Karl PearsonKarl Pearson..

Karl Pearson established the discipline of Karl Pearson established the discipline of mathematical statistics (first mathematical statistics (first university statistics university statistics departmentdepartment at University College London, 1911) at University College London, 1911)

A proponent of eugenics, and a protégé and A proponent of eugenics, and a protégé and biographer of Sir Francis Galtonbiographer of Sir Francis Galton

Pearson openly advocated "war" against "inferior Pearson openly advocated "war" against "inferior races“: a logical implication of his scientific work on races“: a logical implication of his scientific work on human measurement human measurement

When Galton died, he left the residue of his estate to When Galton died, he left the residue of his estate to the University of London for a the University of London for a Chair in EugenicsChair in Eugenics. .

First holder of this chair: First holder of this chair: Galton Chair of EugenicsGalton Chair of Eugenics, , Galton Chair of GeneticsGalton Chair of Genetics. .

Department of Applied Statistics into which he Department of Applied Statistics into which he incorporated the Biometric and Galton laboratories incorporated the Biometric and Galton laboratories co-founder, with Weldon and Galton, of the statistical co-founder, with Weldon and Galton, of the statistical journal journal BiometrikaBiometrika . .

Positive-Negative EugenicsPositive-Negative EugenicsDarwinism and Social DarwinismDarwinism and Social Darwinism

The Galtonian ideal of eugenics The Galtonian ideal of eugenics is usually termed is usually termed positive eugenicspositive eugenics. . Negative eugenicsNegative eugenics, on the other hand, advocated culling the least able , on the other hand, advocated culling the least able

from the breeding population to preserve humanity's fitness.from the breeding population to preserve humanity's fitness.

The term The term DarwinismDarwinism had been coined by Thomas Henry Huxley (an had been coined by Thomas Henry Huxley (an English biologist, review of English biologist, review of On the Origin of SpeciesOn the Origin of Species, 1860): evolutionism , 1860): evolutionism or development, without any specific commitment to Charles Darwin’s or development, without any specific commitment to Charles Darwin’s own theoryown theory

The first use of the phrase The first use of the phrase Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism was on a Joseph Fischer’s was on a Joseph Fischer’s Article (1877) on Article (1877) on The History of Landholding in IrelandThe History of Landholding in Ireland

Social Darwinism: Social Darwinism: application of the theory of natural selection to social, application of the theory of natural selection to social, political, and economic issues (late Victorian era England, America, end of political, and economic issues (late Victorian era England, America, end of 1919thth century). century). Evolution as the ‘growth of rationality’Evolution as the ‘growth of rationality’

The strongest or fittest should survive and flourish in society, while the The strongest or fittest should survive and flourish in society, while the weak and ‘unfit’ should be allowed to dieweak and ‘unfit’ should be allowed to die

EExplained social and economic inequalities as the “survival of the fittest.” (first coined by Herbert Spencer and then adopted by Darwin in the 5th edition of the Origin, 1869)

Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism and Spencerand Spencer The theory was chiefly expounded by The theory was chiefly expounded by Herbert Herbert

Spencer (1820-1903) Spencer (1820-1903) English philosopher, biologist, English philosopher, biologist, sociologist and prominent political theorist sociologist and prominent political theorist of the of the Victorian eraVictorian era

Spencer's ideas (evolutionary progressivism) stemmed Spencer's ideas (evolutionary progressivism) stemmed from reading Thomas Malthusfrom reading Thomas Malthus

His later theories were influenced by those of Darwin His later theories were influenced by those of Darwin ((adaptation and natural selectionadaptation and natural selection).).

Spencer's major work, Spencer's major work, Progress: Its Law and CauseProgress: Its Law and Cause (1857) released three years before the publication of (1857) released three years before the publication of Darwin's Darwin's On the Origin of SpeciesOn the Origin of Species, and , and First PrinciplesFirst Principles was printed in 1860. was printed in 1860.

Declining birth rate among the wealthy and powerfulDeclining birth rate among the wealthy and powerful Working class was reproducing at a faster rateWorking class was reproducing at a faster rate Social philanthropy and religious institutions little help.Social philanthropy and religious institutions little help. Progressive reformers: faith in science as a “cure-all”Progressive reformers: faith in science as a “cure-all”

Spencer and AdaptationSpencer and Adaptation The concept of The concept of adaptationadaptation allowed allowed

SpencerSpencer to claim that the rich and to claim that the rich and powerful were better adapted to the social powerful were better adapted to the social and economic climate of the timeand economic climate of the time

The The concept of natural selectionconcept of natural selection allowed him to argue that it was natural, allowed him to argue that it was natural, normal, and proper for the strong to thrive normal, and proper for the strong to thrive at the expense of the weak. at the expense of the weak.

Not only was survival of the fittest natural, Not only was survival of the fittest natural, but it was also but it was also morally correctmorally correct

extreme extreme Social Darwinists: Social Darwinists: it was morally it was morally incorrect to assist those weaker than incorrect to assist those weaker than oneself, since that would be promoting the oneself, since that would be promoting the survival and possible reproduction of survival and possible reproduction of someone who was fundamentally ‘unfit’someone who was fundamentally ‘unfit’

Justify eugenics programs aimed at Justify eugenics programs aimed at weeding "undesirable" genes from the weeding "undesirable" genes from the populationpopulation

LamarckismLamarckism French biologist French biologist Jean-Baptiste LamarckJean-Baptiste Lamarck

(1744–1829) incorporated the action of (1744–1829) incorporated the action of soft soft inheritanceinheritance into his evolutionary theories into his evolutionary theories: :

an organism can pass on characteristics that it an organism can pass on characteristics that it acquired during its lifetime to its offspringacquired during its lifetime to its offspring (also (also known as known as heritability of acquired characteristicsheritability of acquired characteristics or or soft inheritancesoft inheritance). ).

The fecundity and rapid multiplication of The fecundity and rapid multiplication of organisms, particularly those low in the scale of organisms, particularly those low in the scale of complexity, posed a threat to the preservation complexity, posed a threat to the preservation and perfectibility of the higher speciesand perfectibility of the higher species

Lamarck’s GiraffeLamarck’s Giraffe

Evolution occurs because organisms can inherit traits which have Evolution occurs because organisms can inherit traits which have been acquired by their ancestors. been acquired by their ancestors.

Giraffes find themselves in a changing environment in which they Giraffes find themselves in a changing environment in which they can only survive by eating leaves high up on trees. can only survive by eating leaves high up on trees.

They stretch their necks to reach the leaves and this stretching They stretch their necks to reach the leaves and this stretching and the desire to stretch gets passed on to later generations. and the desire to stretch gets passed on to later generations.

As a result, a species of animal which originally had short necks As a result, a species of animal which originally had short necks evolved into a species with long necks. evolved into a species with long necks.

Neolamarckism: Neolamarckism: modern Lamarckian theory modern Lamarckian theory importance of environmental factors in genetic importance of environmental factors in genetic changes and retaining the notion of the changes and retaining the notion of the inheritance of acquired charactersinheritance of acquired characters

key-component of key-component of French eugenicsFrench eugenics since it since it was consistent with the social and political was consistent with the social and political philosophy of the philosophy of the French Third Republic French Third Republic (1870-1914)(1870-1914)

both environmental and social influences,both environmental and social influences, subject to improvement, played an important subject to improvement, played an important role in heredity through acquired role in heredity through acquired characteristics. characteristics.

French eugenicistsFrench eugenicists were sceptical about the were sceptical about the imposition of sterilisation, justifying such a imposition of sterilisation, justifying such a stance on the grounds of stance on the grounds of individual freedom, individual freedom, humanism and medical ethicshumanism and medical ethics

Motherhood-Procreation-Motherhood-Procreation-PuericulturePuericulture

Adolphe PinardAdolphe Pinard (1844-1934). French (1844-1934). French obstetrician: ‘prenatal care’ reviving obstetrician: ‘prenatal care’ reviving the concept of the concept of puericulturepuericulture (1895): (1895): ‘knowledge relative to the ‘knowledge relative to the reproduction, conservation and reproduction, conservation and amelioration of the human species’amelioration of the human species’

Medical checks at Medical checks at three stagesthree stages: : before procreation; during pregnancy; before procreation; during pregnancy; in the period after birth. in the period after birth.

(birth control, natalism, social hygiene (birth control, natalism, social hygiene measures, prenatal care and infant measures, prenatal care and infant mortality problems, alcoholism, mortality problems, alcoholism, tuberculosis and venereal diseases)tuberculosis and venereal diseases)

French Eugenics SocietyFrench Eugenics Society: mild : mild eugenics, instruction, quantity and eugenics, instruction, quantity and quality of birth, duty of the individual to quality of birth, duty of the individual to society and the race, (political duty) society and the race, (political duty)

Nation’s powerNation’s power: quality of its : quality of its biological capital. biological capital.

The popularization of geneticThe popularization of geneticscience science

(beginning of 20(beginning of 20thth century, Eugenic Societies) century, Eugenic Societies)

1904: Galton endowed a research chair in eugenics, University College, London University

1905: German Society for Racial Hygiene, physician A. Ploetz, Berlin 1907: Eugenic Education Society England 1910: Eugenics Record Office (ERO), America 1908: Eugenics Education Society-Eugenics Society (1926) Galton Institute Galton Institute

((1989)1989) 1922: American Eugenics Society (Madison Grant, Henry H. Laughlin, Irving

Fisher) 1928: H1928: Human Betterment Foundationuman Betterment Foundation (HBF) American eugenics organization (HBF) American eugenics organization

established in California established in California

Eugenic policies, eugenics research projects or publications. Discourse on sterilisation and laws.

World WarWorld War I: the state should control biological reproduction- I: the state should control biological reproduction-capital in the interest of capital in the interest of national efficiencynational efficiency

Eugenics:Eugenics: one of the most potent expressions of the modern scientistic one of the most potent expressions of the modern scientistic quest for national quest for national rejuvenation-regenerationrejuvenation-regeneration during the 1920s.during the 1920s.

Other EugenicistsAmerica: Charles Davenport (1866-1944)

Established the Eugenics Record Office (ERO, 1910): trained field workers to collect pedigrees of families with interesting traits

Wrote extensively on “pauperism,” criminality and “feeble-mindedness.”

Leader of the American Leader of the American eugenics movement, involved eugenics movement, involved in the sterilization of around in the sterilization of around 60,000 “unfit" Americans60,000 “unfit" Americans

Harry Laughlin (1880-1943) A leading American eugenicist in

the first half of the 20th century.

Director of the Eugenics Record Office (from its inception 1910 to its closing in 1939), most active individuals in influencing American eugenics policy (compulsory sterilization legislation).

Ambitious promoter of laws: 1. sterilize “hereditary defectives” 2. restrict the inflow of “worthless” immigrants

Measuring innate (genetically determined) mental traits major part of the psychometric movement in the early20th.

Test scores (given as an intelligence quotient, or IQ) used by eugenicists to restrict, control immigration

Eugenic Supporters Eugenic Supporters protestingprotesting

Robert Yerkes (1876 –1956) Robert Yerkes (1876 –1956) American psychologist, American psychologist, president of the president of the American Psychological American Psychological AssociationAssociation (APA) (APA)The Army's Alpha and Beta Intelligence Tests, first nonverbal group tests, The Army's Alpha and Beta Intelligence Tests, first nonverbal group tests, which given to over 1 million soldiers during the war: recent immigrants which given to over 1 million soldiers during the war: recent immigrants (especially those from Southern and Eastern Europe) scored considerably (especially those from Southern and Eastern Europe) scored considerably lower than older waves of immigration (from Northern Europe), Eugenic lower than older waves of immigration (from Northern Europe), Eugenic motivations for harsh immigration restriction. (Immigration Act of 1924)motivations for harsh immigration restriction. (Immigration Act of 1924)

Intelligence and HeredityIntelligence and Heredity The Kallikak Family: A Study in The Kallikak Family: A Study in

the Heredity of Feeble-the Heredity of Feeble-MindednessMindedness

1912 American psychologist 1912 American psychologist Henry H. Goddard. Henry H. Goddard.

Intelligence Tests and Intelligence Tests and Feeble-Feeble-mindedminded (various forms of (various forms of mental retardation and mental retardation and learning deficiences)learning deficiences)

Genealogy of Deborah-Genealogy of Deborah-Pedigree ChartsPedigree Charts

Sanger: Birth Control and Planned Parenthood

Margaret Sanger (1879-1966): American sex educator, birth control activist, founder of the American Birth Control League (1921)

1916: first Birth control-Family Planning Clinic in the United States (contraceptive information , Planned Parenthood Federation America in 1942)

Proponent of negative Proponent of negative eugenicseugenics: human hereditary : human hereditary traits can be improved through traits can be improved through social intervention, social intervention, racial racial politics of eugenicpolitics of eugenic

Feminist ideas: Marie Stopes (Britain). Feminist ideas: Marie Stopes (Britain). ““Laissez-aller in marriage is no wiser Laissez-aller in marriage is no wiser

than in other parts of life” asserted the than in other parts of life” asserted the British birth control advocate Annie British birth control advocate Annie BesantBesant

Primary sponsors of abortion rights during Primary sponsors of abortion rights during her lifetime. her lifetime. Exclusionary immigration Exclusionary immigration policy, free access to birth control methods policy, free access to birth control methods and full family-planning autonomy for the and full family-planning autonomy for the able-minded, compulsory segregation or able-minded, compulsory segregation or sterilization for the profoundly retarded. sterilization for the profoundly retarded.

In 1927 Sanger helped organize the In 1927 Sanger helped organize the first World Conference in Geneva. first World Conference in Geneva.

Better Babies Contests: mental and Better Babies Contests: mental and developmental tests, various developmental tests, various measurements, and the physical measurements, and the physical examinations (normal child examinations (normal child development, eugenic competitions)development, eugenic competitions)

Leonard DarwinLeonard Darwin (1850-1943) (1850-1943) Son of Charles Darwin, Son of Charles Darwin, Chairman of theChairman of the

British Eugenics SocietyBritish Eugenics Society ((1911-19281911-1928)) He took leadership positions in He took leadership positions in

international eugenics events. international eugenics events. Chairman of the Chairman of the First International First International

Eugenics CongressEugenics Congress (1912), University (1912), University of London July 24-30 1912, hosted by the of London July 24-30 1912, hosted by the British Eugenics Society (324 individuals British Eugenics Society (324 individuals from around the world).from around the world).

Second International Congress of Second International Congress of EugenicsEugenics in 1921 he gave the lead in 1921 he gave the lead address ‘Aims and Methods of Eugenical address ‘Aims and Methods of Eugenical Societies’Societies’

Third Congress (1932)Third Congress (1932): American : American Museum of Natural History, New York Museum of Natural History, New York CityCity

Control of prostitutionControl of prostitution to prevent to prevent venereal disease.(WWI)venereal disease.(WWI)

BritainBritain In Britain, eugenics never received In Britain, eugenics never received

significant state fundingsignificant state funding it was supported by many prominent it was supported by many prominent

figures of different political persuasions figures of different political persuasions before World War I, including: before World War I, including:

Liberal economists William Beveridge and Liberal economists William Beveridge and John Maynard Keynes, John Maynard Keynes,

Fabian Socialists such Irish author George Fabian Socialists such Irish author George Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells and Sidney Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells and Sidney Well Well

Furthermore, its emphasis was more Furthermore, its emphasis was more upon upon social classsocial class rather than rather than racerace. .

Nazi and Racial Hygiene Nazi and Racial Hygiene Ideas of biological improvement (1933-1940). Ideas of biological improvement (1933-1940). Hitler was the first politician with effective Hitler was the first politician with effective

influence to make influence to make race hygienerace hygiene a central goal a central goal of all politicsof all politics

Hygienists like Hygienists like FischerFischer saw in Nazism the long- saw in Nazism the long-awaited political opportunity for the practical awaited political opportunity for the practical application of the principles of application of the principles of racial hygieneracial hygiene

German eugenicist German eugenicist Wilhelm SchallmayerWilhelm Schallmayer (1857-1919) one of the founders of German (1857-1919) one of the founders of German racial hygiene movementracial hygiene movement

Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism, especially the elaborations , especially the elaborations by by SpencerSpencer and and HaeckelHaeckel (1834-1919), (1834-1919), biologist, naturalist biologist, naturalist "politics is applied biology“"politics is applied biology“

Drawing upon the leading German Drawing upon the leading German eugenics text, eugenics text, Human Heredity and Human Heredity and Race HygieneRace Hygiene (1921) and the (1921) and the writings of race theorist Hans F.K. writings of race theorist Hans F.K. Guenther, Adolf Hitler in Guenther, Adolf Hitler in Mein Mein KampfKampf (My Struggle, 1925) (My Struggle, 1925) formulated his ‘race purity’ formulated his ‘race purity’ theories. theories.

The core idea of Darwinism The core idea of Darwinism was not evolution, butwas not evolution, but of the of the ‘fitter’ ‘fitter’ selectionselection. .

Increasing the birthrate classes Increasing the birthrate classes and preventing the reproduction of and preventing the reproduction of the unfitthe unfit

Preventing the ‘inferior races’Preventing the ‘inferior races’ from mixing with those judged from mixing with those judged superiorsuperior, in order to reduce , in order to reduce contamination of the latter’s gene contamination of the latter’s gene pool. pool.

German Society for Race HygieneGerman Society for Race Hygiene (1905, (1905, Ploetz, Berlin):Ploetz, Berlin): improve and purify “Aryan race’improve and purify “Aryan race’

1933:1933: Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring (genetic disorders)Diseased Offspring (genetic disorders)

1935:1935: Law for the Protection of the Health of Law for the Protection of the Health of the German Peoplethe German People:: couples had to undergo a couples had to undergo a medical examination prior to marriage medical examination prior to marriage

Prohibited the marriage of individualsProhibited the marriage of individuals with with venereal disease or genetic diseases, enforced venereal disease or genetic diseases, enforced racial hygiene, extermination of undesired racial hygiene, extermination of undesired groups, Sterilization laws, premarital health groups, Sterilization laws, premarital health exam laws, immigration-restriction lawsexam laws, immigration-restriction laws

“We do not stand alone"

Nazipropaganda Poster justifying the 1934sterilization law, shows a German couplesurrounded by the flags of nations whichalready had identical laws. Neues Volk,1936

Eugenics and Sterilization Laws in Eugenics and Sterilization Laws in Scandinavian-Nordic countriesScandinavian-Nordic countries

Scandinavian eugenic sterilisation laws: ‘‘to Scandinavian eugenic sterilisation laws: ‘‘to improve the genetic make up of a improve the genetic make up of a human population’’—eugenic by orientation.

Sterilization Laws: Norway (1934), Sweden (1934), Finland (1935), Estonia (1936), Iceland (1938), Denmark (1929 voluntary sterilization, 1934 coercive use on mental defectives)

The future biological quality of the population. Complexity of the analysis: moral and scientific

reasons

Historiography of EugenicsHistoriography of Eugenics The relationship of eugenics with Racism, The relationship of eugenics with Racism,

Nationalism, Antisemitism. Nationalism, Antisemitism. Local eugenic movements, relationship Local eugenic movements, relationship

between eugenicists and the nation-state between eugenicists and the nation-state (national rejuvenation), the role of (national rejuvenation), the role of professionals and expert expert knowledge on professionals and expert expert knowledge on racerace

Role of different eugenic movements Role of different eugenic movements especially of British eugenics and German especially of British eugenics and German racial hygieneracial hygiene

Connection of eugenics with modernist ideas, Connection of eugenics with modernist ideas, social changes engendered by immigration social changes engendered by immigration and racial segregationand racial segregation

Connection with Traumatic human Connection with Traumatic human experiences generated by the Wars. experiences generated by the Wars.