Buck v. Bell Eugenics in America Bob CahillMarch 28, 2002

Eugenics Hits America Eugenics - a science that deals with the improvement (as by control of human mating) of hereditary qualities of a race or breed. Eugenics - a science that deals with the improvement (as by control of human mating) of hereditary qualities of a race or breed. Hitler practiced by “removing” inferiors Hitler practiced by “removing” inferiors –Jews –Handicapped –Resisters to Nazi movement –Homosexuals –Criminals

Equity - Early 20 th Century Pushing for Equity Pushing for Equity –Labor Unions –Civil Rights Groups –Women’s Suffragists Speaking out against Equity Speaking out against Equity –Nativist Groups –Racist Groups (Ku Klux Klan) –Eugenicists

Eugenicists Scare Americans Phenomena in America Phenomena in America –Industrialization –Urbanization –African American Migration –Influx of Poor Immigrants –Competition for Jobs –Fear of Overcrowding Solution: Eugenics Solution: Eugenics

Manufacturing Better People “The American eugenics movement promised prosperity and progress, not through strikes or ugly race riots, but through a new science that would combine advances in the field of genetics with the efficiency of the assembly line.” -Alan Stoskepf, 1999

Eugenics in the Law Involuntary Sterilization Involuntary Sterilization 30 states passed laws. 30 states passed laws. President Coolidge Spoke for eugenics President Coolidge Spoke for eugenics Involuntary sterilizations performed in United States Involuntary sterilizations performed in United States –“feeble minded” citizens –Citizens with epilepsy

Carrie Buck Virginia, 1924 Virginia, 1924 At age 18, committed to the State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded At age 18, committed to the State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded Considered “feebleminded” for giving birth to a child out of wedlock Considered “feebleminded” for giving birth to a child out of wedlock Chosen to receive salpingectomy (Cutting of the fallopian tubes) under new sterilization law passed by the state of Virginia Chosen to receive salpingectomy (Cutting of the fallopian tubes) under new sterilization law passed by the state of Virginia

Buck v. Bell, Take One Buck challenged constitutionality of the state’s right to sterilize her Buck challenged constitutionality of the state’s right to sterilize her Circuit Court of Amherst County Circuit Court of Amherst County No witnesses No witnesses Only arguments in her favor Only arguments in her favor –References to legal questions –Brief and Technical

Buck v. Bell, Take One Decision in favor of state Decision in favor of state Court ordered that Buck be sterilized Court ordered that Buck be sterilized

Buck v. Bell, Take Two Buck appealed to Virginia Appellate Court. Buck appealed to Virginia Appellate Court. Decision of Circuit Court Upheld Decision of Circuit Court Upheld

Buck v. Bell, Take Three Case appealed to US Supreme Court Case appealed to US Supreme Court Decision Upheld Decision Upheld The majority opinion of the Court The majority opinion of the Court –Virginia’s compulsory sterilization law was constitutional Precedent Established Precedent Established –State government arbiters of human reproduction practices

Buck v. Bell, Take Three “The principle that sustains compulsory vaccination is broad enough to cover cutting the Fallopian tubes…” -Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes

Consequences International International –Precedent influenced social policy around the world –World War II Domestic Domestic –Over 27,000 Americans sterilized involuntarily within 10 years –Loss of freedom

Questions Questions

Recommendations Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story, movie directed by John David Coles Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story, movie directed by John David Coles Heredity and Humanity: Race, Eugenics, and Modern Science, by Roger Pearson Heredity and Humanity: Race, Eugenics, and Modern Science, by Roger Pearson

References ABCNEWS_com Forced Sterilization in the U_S ABCNEWS_com Forced Sterilization in the U_S Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe Buck v. Bell Buck v. Bell Carrie Buck Story Carrie Buck Story EarthStation1.com - The WWII Sounds & Pictures Page EarthStation1.com - The WWII Sounds & Pictures Page Merriam-Webster Online Merriam-Webster Online Rethinking Schools - The Forgotten History of Eugenics Rethinking Schools - The Forgotten History of Eugenics Sanger Fact Sheet Sanger Fact Sheet The Holocaust of World War II The Holocaust of World War II