Eve of Destruction Creating a foundation for war

Origin of the Species Charles Darwin 1859 Species must adapt, change, or die “Social Darwinism” results Applies scientific thinking to man Opposes biblical theory of “creation”

Why does it lead to world war? Redefines human existence; we are on an equal plain with other organisms Used to excuse social inequities and violence against other people and industrial nations Social Darwinism leads to justification of superiority of one man over another Lays foundation for the Holocaust, propaganda, justified killing of other human beings

Turn and talk…. How does Darwin’s “Origin of the Species” cause humans to change their views on life?

Industrial Revolution The late 18 th century brings the factory system to Great Britain, America Products are mass produced in more efficient factories Inventions change the way that people live Machines made this happen

Why does it lead to war? Creates a need for expanding markets for resources Coupled with capitalism, creates a breeding ground for labor exploitation Communism is the workers’ response (Karl Marx and the Communist Manifesto) War by machine Increases the pace of life and destruction and solves problems, too

Turn and talk…. How does the Industrial Revolution help to set the stage for world war?

How are the Origin of the Species and Industrial Revolution related? They show the triumph of science and rational thought over religious dogma and superstition Both lead to a cheapening of human life in lieu of greater rewards, perhaps for that of the nation-state Both pair to create the motives and justifications to kill on a grand scale

End of Napoleonic Wars Treaty of Paris, 1814 Ends Napoleonic Wars after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo Establishes a newly unified Germany as a power Russia creates an empire Britain becomes the major military power in the world Nations begin to create alliances for protection

Turn and talk…. Why might alliances be an important factor in bringing about a world war?

And so…. Is this a Brave New World? What did man create as a result of these wars? Has science helped or hurt us? Has science helped us create a “perfect” world, or hopes thereof? Have we created our own undoing? 1932 book by Aldous Huxley speculates on this idea UE UE

Turn and talk…. What does Huxley warn us of? Do you agree with him? What influence has science had on society?

Show your thinking… How do these ideas intersect to lay a foundation for world war? Has a “Brave New World” been created? Or, have we laid the foundation for our own demise?

One Pager Use images & words to explain the intersection of these themes that resulted in the world being ready for a “world” war. Darwin’s theory Industrial Revolution Creation of alliances in post Napoleonic Wars world Science fiction ideas of “Brave New World” Due Work days: today, Friday, Monday