Social Darwinism And Racism In Nazi Germany
It is well known that the happenings in Nazi Germany directly reflected the racist psyche of its leaders, but it is not such common knowledge to know that the philosophy of social Darwinism provided a concrete foundation for the justification of this racism. In fact, the ideological foundation of social Darwinism directly led to racism in Nazi Germany. Social Darwinism is a philosophy that originated in the latter half of the 19th century, and states humans are subject to the same laws of natural selection as plants and animals. This theory constructed barriers that have not yet been subverted by implanting the " survival of the fittest" mentality into the minds of its followers. The theory was used to warrant such things as imperialism, capitalism,
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It originated in England in the late 1900s, a time of great prosperity. The popularity of Social Darwinism can be attributed to two simple statistics. One, Darwin's theory of natural selection impeccably befit the beliefs of Victorian England, and two, England was the world's leading superpower at the time of the introduction of Social Darwinism ( Scroggins 2). The notoriety of Social Darwinism verifies the thoughts of Karl Marx when he stated, " The ruling ideas of each age have been the ideas of the ruling class". Social Darwinism has five main …show more content…
It has provided feelings so strong that massive homicide is a result. Hitler is one of the many people that took the teachings of Social Darwinism to heart. His vehemence is demonstrated in his statement, "And so I believe to-day that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty creator. In standing guard against the Jew I am defending the handiwork of the Lord." This statement is both ironic and contradictory, a characteristic of racist beliefs. Hitler's references to the Lord imply a Christian background, although one of the most fundamental beliefs in Christianity is" Thou shall not kill". Hitler also says that his destruction of the Jews is in concordance with the Lord's goal, but this is very paradoxical, as the Jews are the Lord's people. Adolf Hitler can be considered one of the most racist men to ever live, but he is no more racist then the middle aged white women who crosses the street at the sight of a young black man, or the bitter black man who constantly believes "the man" is trying to hold him down. The difference between Hitler and other racists is that he indoctrinated many others with his beliefs, and he took the lives of others. Social Darwinism, as pseudo-scientific as it might be, ignited beliefs in people that have been passed on from generation to generation. The feelings that it stirred were converted to racism, and resulted in the pain and suffering of
It originated in England in the late 1900s, a time of great prosperity. The popularity of Social Darwinism can be attributed to two simple statistics. One, Darwin's theory of natural selection impeccably befit the beliefs of Victorian England, and two, England was the world's leading superpower at the time of the introduction of Social Darwinism ( Scroggins 2). The notoriety of Social Darwinism verifies the thoughts of Karl Marx when he stated, " The ruling ideas of each age have been the ideas of the ruling class". Social Darwinism has five main …show more content…
It has provided feelings so strong that massive homicide is a result. Hitler is one of the many people that took the teachings of Social Darwinism to heart. His vehemence is demonstrated in his statement, "And so I believe to-day that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty creator. In standing guard against the Jew I am defending the handiwork of the Lord." This statement is both ironic and contradictory, a characteristic of racist beliefs. Hitler's references to the Lord imply a Christian background, although one of the most fundamental beliefs in Christianity is" Thou shall not kill". Hitler also says that his destruction of the Jews is in concordance with the Lord's goal, but this is very paradoxical, as the Jews are the Lord's people. Adolf Hitler can be considered one of the most racist men to ever live, but he is no more racist then the middle aged white women who crosses the street at the sight of a young black man, or the bitter black man who constantly believes "the man" is trying to hold him down. The difference between Hitler and other racists is that he indoctrinated many others with his beliefs, and he took the lives of others. Social Darwinism, as pseudo-scientific as it might be, ignited beliefs in people that have been passed on from generation to generation. The feelings that it stirred were converted to racism, and resulted in the pain and suffering of