With which side of the issue do you agree? Why?
The issue is whether people are poor because of personal failing or as a result of
the unfair nature of the economic systems.
 Herbert Spencer, a British philosopher, developed the theory of
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Social Darwinism based on a corrupted view of Darwin’s theory of
evolution and natural selection.
Spencer believed society improved because the strongest and most
intelligent survived. Social Darwinism’s motto became “survival of
the fittest.”
According to Social Darwinism, the most “fit” were white,
industrialized societies such as the United States and Great Britain.
In business, the doctrine of laissez-faire economics followed similar
lines. This belief opposed government interference with business.
Industrialist Andrew Carnegie developed a theory called the Gospel
of Wealth. He believed wealthy Americans should create conditions
that would allow the poor to help themselves.
Social Darwinism
 How might the ideas of Social Darwinism have
shaped the nation’s social and economic
practices?
 The idea that people should help themselves
discouraged the creation of widespread social
programs that would have helped the poor. They
may also note that it contributed to a lack of
government interference in business, keeping
regulations low and encouraging the growth of
large corporations.
 Many Americans argued that the government must take an active
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role in economic affairs and in assisting the poor.
Henry George, a journalist, believed laissez-faire economics ruined
society rather than improved it. He argued that the gap between the
rich and the poor must be closed.
Lester Frank Ward argued that humans were superior to animals due
to the ability to plan ahead and affect change. This view was known
as Reform Darwinism. Reform Darwinists believed success was
built upon humans’ abilities to cooperate, while competition wasted
human energy and resources.
Writer Edward Bellamy promoted socialism and believed that all
wealth had to be equally shared among Americans.
Naturalists such as Jack London criticized industrial society,
suggesting that sometimes people’s failures were the result of
uncontrollable circumstances.
Discussion
 What do you think were the most important
social, political, and economic issues that
emerged during the Gilded Age?
 The roles of emerging popular culture, Social
Darwinism, or laissez-faire economics.