Curated OER
Imperialism: Beginnings and Basic Structure
A great presentation awaits young historians as they delve into the causes, types, and motives for British Imperialism. Each slide provides clear information regarding new imperialism occurring from 1875-1948. Justifications for...
Curated OER
The Scramble for Africa: Ch 27
This presentation is a gem. It begins with 20 questions aimed at guiding note taking and focusing student attention. Each slide or topic covered ties to one of the 20 questions. The class will learn about European conquest and need to...
Curated OER
European Colonialism in Africa
Examine European colonialism in Africa with an image-driven presentation. Social Darwinism, King Leopold, diamond mines, the Boer War and The Berlin Conference are all discussed.
Curated OER
The Incorporation of America
The incorporation and industrialization of America is covered in this image-rich slide show. While text is limited, there is no shortage of great images showing the progression and causes of American Industrialization. Perfect...
Curated OER
Social Darwinism and American Laissez-faire Capitalism
Students investigate Social Darwinism. In this government systems instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the details of Social Darwinism and American laissez-faire capitalism. Students respond to...
Curated OER
The Rise of Big Business & the Labor Movement (3)
In this online interactive American history learning exercise, students answer 10 multiple choice questions regarding the rise of big business and the labor movement. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Other
Small Planet: Social Darwinism,reason or Rationalization?
This site clearly explains the concept of Social Darwinism, then asks students to evaluate its implications in an example. Good lesson in critical thinking and philosophy.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Urbanization 1870 1900: Change Reflected in Thought and Writing
American writers and intellectuals played an important role in articulating the changes taking place in Industrial America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Learn about some of the prominent writers, scientists, and philosophers at that...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sociology
A very detailed look at the development of the field of sociology. Looks at its historical roots, the earliest sociologists, and explains major theories that it was based on, and theories and schools of thought that evolved from those....
![Unc Charlotte: History of Scientific Racism [Pdf] Article](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Unc Charlotte: History of Scientific Racism [Pdf] Article")
Other
Unc Charlotte: History of Scientific Racism [Pdf]
A scholarly article by Anthropology Professor Jonathan Marks on the history of scientific racism. Published in the Encyclopedia of Race and Racism.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Romantics & Victorians Visions
From eccentric inventions to fears of invasion; from social degeneration to visions of the apocalypse - these articles research literary depictions of the future and how they reflect contemporary fears of social, technological, and...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History Period 6: 1865 1898: Social Darwinism & Gilded Age
The study resource from Khan Academy provides an overview of Period 6: 1865-1898 in American History. Social Darwinism, Charles Darwin, and the Gilded Ages are discussed in this lesson. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Taming the Octopus: Social Policy: Social Darwinism vs. Social Gospel
Two Protestant clergymen discuss the morality of wealth: William Graham Sumner defends it and the practices that create it, while Walter Rauschenbusch questions its impact on society and calls for its Christianization.
Brigham Young University
Byu: Wwi Document Archive: General Friedrich Von Bernhardi
Short biography describes Friedrich von Bernhardi and his writings using social Darwinism and biological evidence to support his militarial ideologies of German expansion and conquest.
Digital History
Digital History: Scopes Trial
A fascinating look at the Scopes Trial in Tennessee where a science teacher was accused of violating a state law which prohibited the teacing of evolution. Perhaps the most interesting part of this article is the discussion of the...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Social Darwinism 1857
Herbert Spencer's article "Progress: It's Law and Cause" in which he discusses his theories of evolution prior to Darwin's publishing.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Meritocracy
This entry from Wikipedia provides details on the definition and history of the concept of meritocracy, along with real life examples from the past and the present.
Other
H Net: General Friedrich Von Bernhardi
This biography of the German General Friedrich von Bernhardi (1849-1930) also provides selected chapters from his book The Next War in which he stated a country must seek world power or decline, a view later adopted by Adolf Hitler and...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New Attitutdes Toward Wealth
The accumulation of wealth went beyond inheritance in the late 19th century. Read about three different ideas for the ordinary person to become wealthy.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Social Darwinism and American Laissez Faire Capitalism
Activity-based resource in which students apply Constitutional ideas to evaluate the Federal State Tax Law as they make a case for or against abolishing the tax. Site contains comprehensive resources on the topic.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: Social Darwinism in the Gilded Age
Discusses Social Darwinism and the negative repercussions it had on society during the Gilded Age. Includes questions for students at end.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Romantics & Victorians Fin De Siecle
Read articles that address the following questions about the end of the 19th-century literature: What are the key tropes of late 19th-century literature? How did writers respond to the desires and anxieties of the time? How did...
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: Intellectual/social/cultural Movements 1870's 1914 (5)
Take this 12 question matching quiz on the intellectual, social and cultural movements from the 1870's to 1914.
University of Virginia Library
Prism: Notes on the State of Virginia
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read the complete text of Thomas Jefferson's "Notes on the State of Virginia" and highlight rhetoric in blue, orientalism in red, and social Darwinism in green. When finished, click save to see how...