act1_lm2_103T

Learning Module 1 – Activity One

Social Darwinism vs. Reform Darwinism ^{^[1]}

General Information:

The readings of this activity will be discussed in class on Wednesday, August 26.
Prior to our discussion, you will take a quiz on these readings worth 20 points. Questions on this quiz will be based on the readings of this activity as well as the assigned pages of Chapter 19 of the textbook.
These documents and readings will be the basis for a group & class discussion.
You must be in class to get credit for this assignment.

Activity:

The purpose of this activity is to understand and evaluate the concepts of Social Darwinism and Reform Darwinism. These concepts are important because the assumptions and actions of each used as rationale for social reform and foreign policy. In this activity, you will read three primary sources which focus on approaches to social reform in the late 19^th century. The causes and impact of these extremes and contradictions are explored in Chapter 18 and in the lecture on this information. We will also see evidence of these concepts when we read and discuss actions of foreign policy in the late 19^th century (See Chapter 20).

Prior to reading the documents for this activity make sure that you understand the concepts of Social Darwinism and Reform Darwinism as described in Chapter 19. You can also refer to the glossary of terms for Social Darwinism and Reform Darwinism; these terms are also included in this document. In addition, pay attention to the concepts of the Social Gospel Movement and The Gospel of Wealth; these are defined in the assigned pages of Chapter 19.

Readings / Questions: As you read the documents, use the study questions as a means to understand the central ideas and prepare for the quiz and discussion.

Edward Bellamy, “The Parable of the Coach”

What is the parable? (Parable = a story to reveal or tell of a moral truth. If unclear, read the footnote at the bottom of the first page of this primary source.) Restate this parable in your own words.
After reading Bellamy’s “Parable of the Coach,” would you say that he supports Social Darwinism or Reform Darwinism? Provide a specific example that supports your opinion.

William Graham Sumner, On a New Philosophy: Poverty is the Best Policy:

What is Sumner’s attitude toward the poor?
What are the demographic characteristics or circumstances of those he cites?
According to Sumner, what has caused the improvised circumstances of those he cites?
How is this reading an example of Social Darwinism? Cite one-to-two examples from the reading.

Jane Addams, “Problems of Poverty”

What is Addams’ attitude or approach to those living in poverty?
What are the demographic characteristics and/or circumstances of those she cites as examples?
According to Addams, what has caused the improvised circumstances? Who is at fault?
How is this reading an example of Reform Darwinism? Cite one to two examples to from the reading.

Terms – These terms will be included on the quiz for this activity.

Gospel of Wealth: the idea that wealth garnered from earthly success should be used for good works. Andrew Carnegie promoted this view in an 1889 essay in which he maintained that the wealthy should serve as stewards and act in the best interests of society as a whole.

Reform Darwinism: a social theory, based on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution that emphasized activism, arguing that humans could speed up evolution by altering the environment (conditions of housing, work, education in society). A challenge to social Darwinism, reform Darwinism condemned laissez-faire and demanded that the government take a more active approach to solving social problems. It became the ideological basis for progressive reform in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Social Darwinism: A social theory based on Charles Darwin’s’ theory of evolution that argues that all progress in human society comes as the result of competition and natural selection. Gilded Age (1880s – 1890s) proponents such as William Graham Sumner and Herbert Spencer claimed that reform was useless because the rich and poor were precisely where nature intend them to be and intervention would retard the progress of humanity.

Social gospel movement: A religious movement in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries founded on the idea that Christians have a responsibility to reform society as well as individuals. Social gospel adherents (advocates) encouraged people to put Christ’s teachings to work in their daily lives by actively promoting social justice.