Social Darwinism Concept and Influence Quiz

Social Darwinism

• A theory that applied Darwin's ideas of natural selection to human society.
• It argued that individuals and groups are subject to the same laws of natural selection as plants and animals.
• This theory suggests that the "fittest" individuals and societies will succeed, while the "unfit" will fail.

Social Darwinism and Government

• Social Darwinism suggested that the government should not interfere in the natural order of society.
• Advocates believed that government intervention, such as welfare programs or regulations, would hinder the survival of the fittest.

Social Darwinism and Economic Policies

• Social Darwinism influenced economic policies like laissez-faire capitalism.
• It was used to justify economic inequality, arguing that the wealthy were successful due to their "superior" qualities.

Misconception of Social Darwinism

• A common misconception was that Social Darwinism promoted racial superiority, which was not always the case.
• However, the theory was used to justify racial discrimination and imperialism by some.

The Homestead Act

• Passed in 1862 by the US government, the Homestead Act encouraged westward expansion and settlement.
• It granted 160 acres of public land to any citizen who would cultivate it for five years.

Requirements for Homestead Act

• Applicants had to be at least 21 years old.
• They had to be a US citizen or have filed for citizenship.
• They had to build a dwelling and cultivate the land.

Impact of Homestead Act

• The Homestead Act led to the settlement of millions of acres of land across the US.
• It played a significant role in developing the West and transforming the US into an agricultural power.

Significance of Homestead Act

• The Homestead Act symbolized the American ideal of opportunity and self-reliance.
• It contributed to the westward expansion of the United States and the creation of a new agricultural economy.

Test your knowledge of social Darwinism with this quiz. Explore the main concept, the suggested role of government, and the influence on economic policies. Also, identify common misconceptions associated with social Darwinism.