industrialization and social darwinism the social and economic context of social darwinism

Industrialization Industrialization and Social Darwinism and Social Darwinism

The Social and Economic Context of The Social and Economic Context of Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism

Social Darwinism DefinedSocial Darwinism Defined

Social Darwinism is the (mis)application of Social Darwinism is the (mis)application of and (over) extension of Darwin’s theory to and (over) extension of Darwin’s theory to explain human society.explain human society.

Social Darwinism uses Darwinian ideas like Social Darwinism uses Darwinian ideas like “evolution”, “fitness”, “struggle for survival” “evolution”, “fitness”, “struggle for survival” to “explain” and “justify” human inequalities to “explain” and “justify” human inequalities in wealth and power.in wealth and power.

Types of Social DarwinismTypes of Social Darwinism

1.1. Individualistic Social DarwinismIndividualistic Social Darwinism

2.2. Collectivistic Social DarwinismCollectivistic Social Darwinism

1. Individualistic Social Darwinism: 1. Individualistic Social Darwinism: (a) misuse of “struggle” and (a) misuse of “struggle” and

“struggle for survival”.“struggle for survival”. Individualistic social Darwinism claims that human Individualistic social Darwinism claims that human

society, like nature, is involved in a constant society, like nature, is involved in a constant “struggle for survival” between “struggle for survival” between individuals individuals in society. in society.

The individuals may be businessmen competing The individuals may be businessmen competing (“struggling”) against other business men for profits (“struggling”) against other business men for profits and economic “survival”. and economic “survival”.

The individuals may also be individual workers The individuals may also be individual workers seeking to “survive” by competing (“struggling”) to seeking to “survive” by competing (“struggling”) to get hired, earning wages, promotions, etc…get hired, earning wages, promotions, etc…

1.1. Individualistic Social DarwinismIndividualistic Social Darwinism(b) misuse of “fitness”, “survival (b) misuse of “fitness”, “survival of the fittest” and “evolution”of the fittest” and “evolution”

As in Darwin’s theory, the “struggle for As in Darwin’s theory, the “struggle for survival” assures that only the “fit” survive survival” assures that only the “fit” survive (“survival of the fittest”)(“survival of the fittest”)

Social Darwinists claim the continuous Social Darwinists claim the continuous selection of fitter (human) individuals, drives selection of fitter (human) individuals, drives “social evolution”. “social evolution”.

Individualistic social Darwinists also claim Individualistic social Darwinists also claim that “social evolution” tends toward the overall that “social evolution” tends toward the overall “good” of the human race.“good” of the human race.

1.1. Individualistic Social DarwinismIndividualistic Social Darwinism(c) consequences for social policy(c) consequences for social policy

If “social If “social evolutionevolution” is for the overall good of ” is for the overall good of society, and if it is driven by continuing society, and if it is driven by continuing ““strugglestruggle”, then:”, then:

nothing should be done to reduce the intensity nothing should be done to reduce the intensity of the “of the “struggle for survivalstruggle for survival”. ”.

Thus, laws or government policies benefiting Thus, laws or government policies benefiting the poor (“the unfit”) should be reduced or the poor (“the unfit”) should be reduced or eliminated. eliminated.

1.1. Individualistic Social Darwinism:Individualistic Social Darwinism:(d) Key role of Herbert Spencer(d) Key role of Herbert Spencer

One of the “founders” of One of the “founders” of Social Darwinism was: Social Darwinism was:

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)

Spencer coined the terms “survival of the fittest” and “struggle for survival” even before Darwin published Origin.

If they [all people] are sufficiently complete to live, they do live and it is well they should live. If they are not sufficiently complete, they die, and it is well they should die.

- Herbert Spencer, Social Statics

Individualistic Social Darwinism:Individualistic Social Darwinism:William Graham SumnerWilliam Graham Sumner

In the USA, William Graham In the USA, William Graham Sumner (1840-1910), an Sumner (1840-1910), an admirer of Spencer, echoed the admirer of Spencer, echoed the same views:same views:

““The millionaires are a product of The millionaires are a product of

natural selection…natural selection…””

1.1. Individualistic Social DarwinismIndividualistic Social Darwinism(e) connection to economic liberalism(e) connection to economic liberalism

Spencer and Sumner were also supporters of Spencer and Sumner were also supporters of economic economic liberalism. liberalism. This ideaThis idea dates back to dates back to Adam Smith Adam Smith (1723-1790) (1723-1790) who argued in his famous who argued in his famous Wealth of Nations Wealth of Nations (1776) against (1776) against government regulations and monopolies typical of the pre-government regulations and monopolies typical of the pre-industrial era.industrial era.

In many ways Adam Smith was the intellectual father of modern industrial capitalism.

1.1. Individualistic Social DarwinismIndividualistic Social Darwinism(f) connection to (f) connection to laissez-fairelaissez-faire

Laissez-faire, Laissez-faire, like economic liberalism, like economic liberalism, opposed government interference in the opposed government interference in the economy (no taxes, laws and regulations).economy (no taxes, laws and regulations).Such measures would hinder individual Such measures would hinder individual freedom and economic competition, the freedom and economic competition, the engine of economic growth (and thus, engine of economic growth (and thus, supposedly, improved conditions for all).supposedly, improved conditions for all).

1. Individualistic Social Darwinism: 1. Individualistic Social Darwinism: (g) connection to “self-help” idea.(g) connection to “self-help” idea.

Laissez-faire was also seen as a kind of Laissez-faire was also seen as a kind of “self-help” and as such, was the best way to “self-help” and as such, was the best way to ensure the development of individual ensure the development of individual freedom and responsibility freedom and responsibility

1. Individualistic Social Darwinism: 1. Individualistic Social Darwinism: (g) connection to “self-help” idea.(g) connection to “self-help” idea.

Samuel Smiles, one of the most Samuel Smiles, one of the most famous proponents of laissez-famous proponents of laissez-faire and “self-help”, put it this faire and “self-help”, put it this way in 1859: way in 1859: 'Whatever is done for men or classes, to a 'Whatever is done for men or classes, to a certain extent takes away the stimulus and certain extent takes away the stimulus and necessity of doing for themselves; and necessity of doing for themselves; and where men are subjected to over-guidance where men are subjected to over-guidance and over-government, the inevitable and over-government, the inevitable tendency is to render them comparatively tendency is to render them comparatively helpless.' helpless.'

1. Individualistic Social Darwinism1. Individualistic Social Darwinism

Thus individualistic social Darwinism fit well Thus individualistic social Darwinism fit well into the already existing ideas of economic into the already existing ideas of economic liberalism, laissez-faire and self-help.liberalism, laissez-faire and self-help.

The publication of Origin of Species by Darwin in 1859 reinforced the same viewpoint and gave them a supposedly scientific basis.

individuals are responsible for their own lives and should not

look to anyone else to take care of any of their needs.

2. The Industrial Revolution2. The Industrial Revolution

2. The Industrial Revolution2. The Industrial Revolution

Britain in the 19Britain in the 19thth century underwent the century underwent the Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution, one of the most , one of the most important historical events in history. important historical events in history.

The Industrial Revolution transformed Britain The Industrial Revolution transformed Britain from a rural, agricultural, land-based society to from a rural, agricultural, land-based society to an urban, industrial society.an urban, industrial society.

Wealth was now based on the ownership of Wealth was now based on the ownership of capital (factories, production) and money capital (factories, production) and money rather than on land.rather than on land.

2. The Industrial Revolution: 2. The Industrial Revolution: Social Consequences Social Consequences

Most did not share in Most did not share in this growth of wealththis growth of wealth

In the rapidly growing In the rapidly growing cities, slums developed cities, slums developed where poverty, disease, where poverty, disease, filth, and oppression filth, and oppression were a fact of daily were a fact of daily life. life.

Gustav Dore “Slum Neigbourhood” (1872)

2. The Industrial Revolution: 2. The Industrial Revolution: Social ConsequencesSocial Consequences

Gustav Dore, “Over London by Rail” (1872)


Child labour during the Industrial Revolution

Early in the 19th century, no laws provided for maximum working hours, minimum wage, holidays, health and safety, unemployment or sickness insurance, pensions or child labour.


Bicycle factory – USA early 20th century

Child labour during the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution: Social ConsequencesSocial Consequences

Hannah Goode:Hannah Goode: "I work at Mr. Wilson's mill. I think the "I work at Mr. Wilson's mill. I think the youngest child is about 7. I daresay there are 20 under 9 years. It youngest child is about 7. I daresay there are 20 under 9 years. It is about half past five by our clock at home when we go in....We is about half past five by our clock at home when we go in....We come out at seven by the mill. We never stop to take our meals, come out at seven by the mill. We never stop to take our meals, except at dinner. except at dinner.

Evidence of Textile Workers in Wilson's Mill, Nottingham: Source; Factory Inquiry Commission, Great Britain, Parliamentary Papers, 1833. Found in Hellerstein, Hume & Offen, Victorian Women: A Documentary Accounts of Women's Lives in Nineteenth-Century England, France and the United States, Stanford University Press


Hannah Goode: “William Crookes is overlooker in our room. He Hannah Goode: “William Crookes is overlooker in our room. He is cross-tempered sometimes. He does not beat me; he beats the is cross-tempered sometimes. He does not beat me; he beats the little children if they do not do their work right....I have little children if they do not do their work right....I have sometimes seen the little children drop asleep or so, but not sometimes seen the little children drop asleep or so, but not lately. If they are catched asleep they get the strap. They are lately. If they are catched asleep they get the strap. They are always very tired at night....I can read a little; I can't write. I used always very tired at night....I can read a little; I can't write. I used to go to school before I went to the mill; I have since I am to go to school before I went to the mill; I have since I am sixteen." sixteen."

Evidence of Textile Workers in Wilson's Mill, Nottingham: Source; Factory Inquiry Commission, Great Britain, Parliamentary Papers, 1833. Found in Hellerstein, Hume & Offen, Victorian Women: A Documentary Accounts of Women's Lives in Nineteenth-Century England, France and the United States, Stanford University Press


Girl dragging coal tub up a mine shaft


Famous “Girl in Factory” photograph.

Early 20th century, USA


Punch magazine cartoon “Capital and Labor”


Street children


In conclusion, I think it has been clearly proved that children In conclusion, I think it has been clearly proved that children have been worked a most unreasonable and cruel length of have been worked a most unreasonable and cruel length of time daily, and that even adults have been excepted to do a time daily, and that even adults have been excepted to do a certain quantity of labour which scarcely any human being is certain quantity of labour which scarcely any human being is able to endure… no child under fourteen years of age should able to endure… no child under fourteen years of age should work in a factory of any description for more than eight hours work in a factory of any description for more than eight hours a day. From fourteen upwards I would recommend that no a day. From fourteen upwards I would recommend that no individual should, under circumstances, work more than individual should, under circumstances, work more than twelve hours a day; although if practicable, as a physician, I twelve hours a day; although if practicable, as a physician, I would prefer the limitation of ten hours…would prefer the limitation of ten hours…

Testimony by a Commission of Medical Examiners from Testimony by a Commission of Medical Examiners from northeastern England made to the Parliamentary Commission northeastern England made to the Parliamentary Commission for inquiry in the Employment of Children in factories, 1833for inquiry in the Employment of Children in factories, 1833

ImperialismImperialism

The Quest for Empire and World Domination The Quest for Empire and World Domination in the 19in the 19thth century century


Imperialism= quest for empireImperialism= quest for empire Empire = the economic, political or cultural Empire = the economic, political or cultural

control of one state over other states or control of one state over other states or cultures. cultures.


By the end of the 19By the end of the 19thth century, the European century, the European powers had expanded their control over most powers had expanded their control over most of the world – this was the age of Empire or of the world – this was the age of Empire or Imperialism. Imperialism.

This was a process that had begun in the early This was a process that had begun in the early modern period with the voyages of discovery. modern period with the voyages of discovery.


British Empire and Commonwealth Before 1914

Imperialism in Africa. Even small countries like Belgium held sizable possession.



Imperialism lead to racist types of ideologies, such as depicted in this cartoon from a Detroit newspaper in 1899.

The idea expressed is that the white man is forcibly “civilizing” the “savage” and thus that imperialism is a noble cause.


In Britain, famous In Britain, famous imperialists like Kipling imperialists like Kipling (original author of (original author of The The Jungle BookJungle Book adapted by adapted by Disney) claimed Disney) claimed Europeans had a Europeans had a “civilizing mission”. “civilizing mission”.

BibliographyBibliography Dore, Gustav Dore, Gustav Images from various websites Images from various websites Engels, Friedrich. Engels, Friedrich. The Condition of the Working Class in England 1844The Condition of the Working Class in England 1844 . Panther: . Panther:

London, 1969.London, 1969. Hellerstein, Erna, L. Hume & K.M. Offen, Hellerstein, Erna, L. Hume & K.M. Offen, Victorian Women: A Documentary Victorian Women: A Documentary

Accounts of Women's Lives in Nineteenth-Century England, France and the United Accounts of Women's Lives in Nineteenth-Century England, France and the United States, Stanford University Press. States, Stanford University Press.

Hobsbawm, Eric J.Hobsbawm, Eric J. Industry and Empire, Penguin Books: Harmondsworth, 1999 Industry and Empire, Penguin Books: Harmondsworth, 1999 Hofstadter, Richard Hofstadter, Richard Social Darwinism in American Thought. Beacon Press: Social Darwinism in American Thought. Beacon Press:

Philadelphia, 1992Philadelphia, 1992 Kipling, RudyardKipling, Rudyard, “The White Man’s Burden” (originally published 1899), “The White Man’s Burden” (originally published 1899) Parliamentary Commission for inquiry in the Employment of Children in factories, Parliamentary Commission for inquiry in the Employment of Children in factories,

1833.1833. Smiles, Samuel Smiles, Samuel Self-Help (originally published 1859) Self-Help (originally published 1859) Smith, Adam Smith, Adam The Wealth of Nations (originally published 1776) The Wealth of Nations (originally published 1776)

The EndThe End

industrialization and social darwinism the social and economic context of social darwinism

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