ipl-logo

What Is The Difference Between The Gilded Age And Social Darwinism

265 Words2 Pages
During the Gilded Age, the beliefs of Social Darwinism and Scientific Racism played a role, in shaping how elites perceived and acted upon structures. Social Darwinism, inspired by Charles Darwin's selection theory, suggested that societies progress through competition with the individuals or groups emerging as dominant. This idea justified the wealth gaps of that time by arguing that those who achieved success did so because of their superiority. The elites of the Gilded Age embraced this concept, seeing themselves as the pinnacle of fitness and thus deserving of their riches and status. Similarly, Scientific Racism used scientific methods to validate racial hierarchies and discrimination. It claimed that some races were naturally superior
Open Document