The Social Impact of the American Eugenics Movement

Abstract

The presented thesis examines the social impact of the American Eugenics Movement from the late 19th century until the 1930s. The first chapter provides an ideological context of eugenic thought and the first formulation of eugenics by Francis Galton. The second chapter explores the adoption of eugenics by American thinkers. After the US socio-economic context is discussed, the characteristic features of the American Eugenics Movement are described. The targeted groups are defined and the actual eugenic practices are listed. The last part is focused on opposition to American eugenics. It also describes the fall of the movement and points out the connection to Nazi policies. The theory is linked using analyses of several key works of American eugenicists including Charles Davenport's Heredity in Relation to Eugenics and Madison Grant's The Passing of the Great Race.