1. Warm-Up - Primary Source Analysis
1) Do you agree with the following statement? Why/Why not?
2) What do you think this tells us about today’s lesson?
“Truly, this earth is a trophy cup for the industrious man. And this rightly so, in the service of natural selection. He who does not possess the force to secure his Lebensraum (Kingdom) in this world, and, if necessary, to enlarge it, does not deserve to possess the necessities of life. He must step aside and allow stronger peoples to pass him by.”
- Adolf Hitler

2. Did you know I am smarter than you?
Social Darwinism
Did you know I am smarter than you?

3. What is Social Darwinism?
Philosophy based on Darwin (Herbert Spencer)
“survival of the fittest through natural selection?”
“fit” = white and living in US or Great Britain
Social Darwinism + Laissez Faire

4. Turn and Talk – 1) What images do you see
Turn and Talk – 1) What images do you see? 2) What is the artist trying to say?

5. What were the criticisms of Social Darwinism?
Are some people less capable?
Some people believed the Gov’t should play a role in helping poor
People (rich and poor) began their own programs to help the poor

6. What was Andrew Carnegie’s response?
Gospel of Wealth taught that the rich should use their $$ to educate and aid the poor
Used his money to establish colleges, museums, parks libraries and more.

7. Think – Pair - Share
1) Do you agree with Andrew Carnegie's argument about the wealthy using their money for the betterment of society?
2) Why or why not?
3) Think about Jacksonville and try to think of examples of the Gospel of Wealth at work.

8. What were some of the “Reform” Movements?
The Social Gospel called on Christians to help the poor
YMCA /Salvation Army
Reformers pushed for– medical care, English classes, and rec programs

9. What were the 2 Biggest Reform Movements?
#1)Settlement Houses and #2) education
Settlement Houses stem from the Social Gospel
Learn English / skills
Hull House most famous
Compulsory (required) Education led to rise of public schools

10. Was Culture Changing Too?
You bet, there was less romanticism
Mark Twain and literature as populism
More income = “going out culture”
Sports (Baseball)

11. Twain Quotes
Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.
A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read.
Don't let schooling interfere with your education.
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

12. Challenges to Social Darwinism
Today’s Activity
Students will create a Word Web that addresses the ways people challenged the idea of Social Darwinism
When completed, students will write an editorial arguing for or against Social Darwinism. Students will need to provide evidence for their position
Challenges to Social Darwinism