Background

What is it? • A social movement that came around in the early 20th century. • Selective breeding o Aims to improve a species • Survival of the fittest/Darwinism • Genetic Cleansing • Radical supremacy and purity • “Eugenics is the science which deals with all influences that improve and develop the inborn qualities of a race”-Galton (eugenics: its definition scope and aim) • Improving the human race by discouraging reproduction by people with inheritable undesired traits or encouraging reproduction of people with inheritable desired traits

Who? • Francis Galton was considered the father of the Eugenics movement • He founded the word “eugenics” in 1865 • 3 stages of eugenics o Academic matter o Practical policy o “it must be introduced into the national consciousness as a new religion”- Galton (www.eugenics-watch.com)

Why founded? • After civil war • Progressive era • US o Took hold because of what was going on socially • Britain wanted to remain competitive with the US. o US closes borders then so does Britain o Wanted the most “fit” people working to be competitive