Chapter 4 Lesson 3 – Social Darwinism and Social Reform

It Matters Because: The industrialization of the United States

led to new art and literature and new ideas about government’s role in society. Social Darwinists believed society developed through “survival of the fittest.” Other Americans thought steps needed to be taken to help the less fortunate.

Urban Problems – Politics

“What is the chief end of man? - to get rich. Dishonestly if we can; honestly if we must.” Mark Twain

The Gilded age:

1877-1900Mark Twain

Gilded Age Ideas

By calling this era the Gilded Age, Twain was commenting on what he saw as a corrupt society.

A gilded age might appear great, but critics pointed to corruption, poverty, crime, and great disparities in wealth between the rich and the poor.

Gilded Age Ideas

Individualism: One of the strongest beliefs of the era (that

still permeates our culture today!) Many Americans believed that no matter

how humble their beginnings, all Americans could rise in society and go as far as talent and hard work would take them.

Horatio Alger – Wrote many “dime novels” about “rags to riches” stories. Alger wrote about “luck” and “pluck” (luck and

hard work) that was necessary to achieve the AMERICAN DREAM

Horatio Alger – Dime Novels

Social Darwinism ***(We will Analyze this in class reading)

Social Darwinism: Belief that certain nations and races were superior to others and therefore destined to rule over them. “Survival of the Fittest” – in business,

those with the best or most ruthless practices would succeed over others. Businesses that failed were not “fit”

Justified the Efforts of Millionaires Poor people = lazy/not intelligent Rich = smart/industrious/hard working

Social Darwinism

• Herbert Spencer, a British philosopher, developed the theory of Social Darwinism based on a corrupted view of Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection.

• Spencer believed society improved because the strongest and most intelligent survived. Social Darwinism’s motto became “survival of the fittest.”

• According to Social Darwinism, the most “fit” were white, industrialized societies such as the United States and Great Britain.

• In business, the doctrine of laissez-faire economics followed similar lines. This belief opposed government interference with business.

Gospel Of Wealth *** (We will analyze this in class reading)

Industrialist Andrew Carnegie developed a theory called the Gospel of Wealth.

Carnegie was able to follow ideas of Social Darwinism but live according to Christian virtues and principles. This led to him advocating for

PHILANTHROPY He believed wealthy Americans should

create conditions that would allow the poor to help themselves.

Rebirth of Reform

Challenging Social Darwinism

Many people rejected the ideas of individualism and social darwinism to address society’s problems

Naturalism in Literature Criticism of industrial society emerged in

literature Naturalists rejected Social Darwinism –

They believed that some people failed in life because of poor circumstances

Popular authors Jack London – The Call of the Wild Stephen Crane – Maggie, A girl of the Streets

Helping the Urban Poor

The Social Gospel Movement & Urban reform movements

Social Gospel : Reform movement that emerged in the late

nineteenth century that sought to improve society by applying Christian principles of charity and justice. (Walter Rauschenbusch: Baptist Minister)

“The Church…must demand protection for the moral safety of the people.”

Inspired many churches to build gyms, provide social programs, and help the poor

Settlement House Movement Community center organized at the turn of the

twentieth century to provide social services to the urban, immigrant poor. English classes; kindergartens; recreational programs

Jane Adams: Hull House in Chicago (13 Buildings)

A changing culture

Realism

Popular Culture

The arts began to move away from romanticism and reflect the realism of daily life.

American writers such as Mark Twain redefined literature into a form of populism.

As industrial workers had more income, a new "going out" culture developed with saloons, restaurants, and public entertainment.

Organized sports, such as baseball, took the nation by storm.