Introduction
Question/Topic:
What impact did Charles Darwins theory of evolution have on the Nazi extermination of the Jews
Aim:
To determine to what extent Eugenicists such as Josef Mengele used Charles Darwins theory of evolution to justify his action of experimentation on Jewish people during World War Two.
Hypothesis:
Charles Darwins theory of evolution does not justify the action of Josef Mengele. The theory was takes out of context and adapted by Josef Mengele to provide ‘justification’ for his experimentation on the Jews. The theory of evolution was adapted to become a theory of acial supremacy and Eugenics.
Literature Review:
Source A:
Lifton, RJ. (1986). The Nazi Doctors: who was Josef Mengele. available …show more content…
Instead it merely outlines the upbringing of the subject, who in this case is Charles Darwin. The fact that the source is not bias also makes it reliable as it just states facts and information rather than using emotive language to portray a negative image of a particular subject matter. The source was written very recently and therefore it contains the latest information on Charles Darwin making it even more reliable. This might, however prove to be a limitation as it contains so much recently found information which people like Josef Mengele would not have had during …show more content…
Darwin wrote about “survival of the fittest” and about the superiority of certain classes.
Darwin also hinted at racism and sexism which helped people to use his theories against him and tarnish his image and a respected revolutionary.
According Source C, Darwin makes countless references to scientific justification for labelling races, classes and individuals as inferior. He also stated that the lesser developed races (such as the Jews or the Gypsies or the Black people) will have the hardest time surviving in the world than the superior races.
The article ends off by stating “The truth is, bad ideas have bad consequences, and Darwin had his fair share of them”. This implies that Darwin had bad ideas of his own, such as his theories and that he was punished for them by having his reputation tarnished and being held accountable for the experimentation of the Jews in the twentieth century. This statement contradicts the way the author was defending Darwin at the beginning of the
Question/Topic:
What impact did Charles Darwins theory of evolution have on the Nazi extermination of the Jews
Aim:
To determine to what extent Eugenicists such as Josef Mengele used Charles Darwins theory of evolution to justify his action of experimentation on Jewish people during World War Two.
Hypothesis:
Charles Darwins theory of evolution does not justify the action of Josef Mengele. The theory was takes out of context and adapted by Josef Mengele to provide ‘justification’ for his experimentation on the Jews. The theory of evolution was adapted to become a theory of acial supremacy and Eugenics.
Literature Review:
Source A:
Lifton, RJ. (1986). The Nazi Doctors: who was Josef Mengele. available …show more content…
Instead it merely outlines the upbringing of the subject, who in this case is Charles Darwin. The fact that the source is not bias also makes it reliable as it just states facts and information rather than using emotive language to portray a negative image of a particular subject matter. The source was written very recently and therefore it contains the latest information on Charles Darwin making it even more reliable. This might, however prove to be a limitation as it contains so much recently found information which people like Josef Mengele would not have had during …show more content…
Darwin wrote about “survival of the fittest” and about the superiority of certain classes.
Darwin also hinted at racism and sexism which helped people to use his theories against him and tarnish his image and a respected revolutionary.
According Source C, Darwin makes countless references to scientific justification for labelling races, classes and individuals as inferior. He also stated that the lesser developed races (such as the Jews or the Gypsies or the Black people) will have the hardest time surviving in the world than the superior races.
The article ends off by stating “The truth is, bad ideas have bad consequences, and Darwin had his fair share of them”. This implies that Darwin had bad ideas of his own, such as his theories and that he was punished for them by having his reputation tarnished and being held accountable for the experimentation of the Jews in the twentieth century. This statement contradicts the way the author was defending Darwin at the beginning of the