Topic Guide to Darwinism & Eugenics

The information and links below include search tips and a selection of articles covering this topic in the digitized Louisiana newspapers. The dates and suggested search terms can help to further explore this topic on Chronicling America. For the most search results, try the search terms in different combinations, in proximity, and as phrases.

Significant Dates

1859 – Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle of Life was published
1860 – T.H. Huxley coins the term "Darwinism"
1864 – Herbert Spencer coins the phrase "survival of the fittest"
1869 – Charles Darwin adds the phrase "survival of the fittest" in the fifth edition of On the Origin of Species
1870s – "Survival of the fittest" is adapted to theories related to sociology, economics, and politics.  These theories would later be described as "Social Darwinism"
1871 – Charles Darwin's The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex is published
1883 – Francis Galton misappropriates Darwin's theories to promote eugenics as a means of "perfecting the human race"
1890-1930s – Darwinism and "survival of the fittest" continues to be misapplied as a rationalization for movements related to eugenics, racism, imperialism, fascism, and Nazism
1900-1920s – Eugenics-based laws related to sterilization, marriage, and reproduction of certain people are passed in various states, including Louisiana

Suggested Search Terms

Darwinism, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, Eugenics, Survival of the Fittest, Origin of Species

Sample Articles

• "Population and Natural Selection" The New Orleans Crescent, January 19, 1868, Image 4
• "Darwinism" Semi-Weekly Louisianian, June 25, 1871, Image 1
• "A Fact Against Darwinism" Semi-Weekly Louisianaian, September 24, 1871, Image 4
• "Was Your Grandfather a Monkey?" Richland Beacon, February 22, 1873, Image 4
• "Mystic Crewe's Subject for Mardi Gras was Darwinism" The Ouachita Telegraph, March 08, 1873, Image 3
• "Man's Place in Nature" St. Tammany Farmer, June 13, 1873, Image 3
• "Darwinism and Politics" The Donaldsonville Chief, June 14, 1873, Image 2
• "As Old as the World" The Ouachita Telegraph, September 14, 1889, Image 1
• "About Evolution" St. Tammany Farmer, September 14, 1898, Image 1
• "Men Lived Before Apes" St. Landry Clarion, January 12, 1901, Image 1
• "The Origin of Species" The Colfax Chronicle, April 14, 1906, Image 3
• "Sex Control is Practical" St. Landry Clarion, August 01, 1908, Image 6
• "Eugenics" Tensas Gazette, July 03, 1914, Image 10
• "The Centenary of Darwin" The Rice Belt Journal, February 12, 1909, Image 6
• "Baby Contest at Fair" St. Landry Clarion, August 30, 1913, Image 6
• "Law of Eugenics Are Often Put Out of Joint" Tensas Gazette, November 14, 1913, Image 2
• "Dr. Pierson's Suggestions to the Legislature" The True Democrat, May 02, 1914, Image 1
• "Eugenics Under State Law" The Era-Leader, September 29, 1921, Image 1
• "Darwinites Flayed by Bryan as Ape Men" Tensas Gazette, March 24, 1922, Image 1