26th Annual Student Research Conference
The Rise, Evolution, and Ultimate Failure of Eugenics: Motives Behind the Eugenics Movement in America
Matt R. Sander
Dr. David Robinson and Prof. Martha L. Rose, Faculty Mentors
This research project will focus on the ideas behind the American eugenics movement, which began in the late nineteenth century and was eventually rejected by the American public following World War II. While there were many influential people around the world who began promoting eugenics--both positive and negative--for the betterment of mankind, the horrendous manifestations of its actual practice in Nazi Germany normally focuses discussions. While there were some common ideas behind American and German eugenics during the period, American eugenics were practiced in a much different manner. By focusing on the writings of prominent American eugenicists of the period, this project traces the evolution of the ideas behind the movement from the American perspective, explaining why the ideas became popular, how they changed over time, why these changes occurred, and how the whole movement affected American life.
Keywords: Eugenics, American History, Disability Studies, Harry Laughlin, 1880-1950
Topic(s):History Senior Seminar
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 406-3
Location: VH 1324
Time: 3:00