Eugenics in the United States
Eugenics in the United States
Eugenics (/juːˈdʒɛnɪks/; from Greek εὐ- 'good' and γενής 'come into being, growing') is a set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of a human population, historically by excluding people and groups judged to be inferior and promoting those judged to be superior.
The concept of eugenics was first formulated by Sir Francis Galton in 1883, drawing upon the recent work of his half-couple Charles Darwin. Galton studied the upper classes of Britain and arrived at the conclusion that their social positions were due to a superior genetic makeup.
In the United States, eugenics was supported and promoted by a wide variety of respected individuals, including Alexander Graham Bell, Luther Burbank, and Margaret Sanger. It was also supported by organizations such as the Carnegie Institution and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Eugenics in the United States took many forms. In the early 20th century, many states enacted laws that allowed for the compulsory sterilization of individuals deemed unfit for reproduction. These laws were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1927 case Buck v. Bell.
In addition to compulsory sterilization, other practices such as marriage restrictions, segregation, and even euthanasia were also proposed and, in some cases, implemented. The goal of these practices was to prevent the reproduction of individuals who were considered to be unfit or undesirable, and to promote the reproduction of individuals who were considered to be fit and desirable.
The eugenics movement in the United States was influential in shaping immigration policy, with laws enacted to restrict immigration from certain countries and regions that were deemed to be genetically inferior. This was most notably seen in the Immigration Act of 1924, which severely limited immigration from Eastern and Southern Europe.
The eugenics movement in the United States declined in popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly after the atrocities of the Holocaust became widely known. However, some eugenic policies, such as compulsory sterilization, continued to be practiced in some states until the late 20th century.
Related terms: Positive eugenics, Negative eugenics, Social Darwinism, Genetic determinism, Scientific racism, Compulsory sterilization, Immigration Act of 1924, Buck v. Bell
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Eugenics in the United States
- Wikipedia's article - Eugenics in the United States
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