Lecture Notes on Social Darwinism and its Impact in Germany

Introduction to Darwin's Theory

• Charles Darwin's Theory:
  • Popular among Germany's intellectual elite by the late 19th century.
  • Introduced the concept of natural selection: survival of the fittest.
  • Human society implications discussed in "The Descent of Man".
  • Belief that aiding the weak harms human evolution.

Social Darwinism in Germany

• Application of Darwinism:
  • Justification for political dominance and racial hierarchy.
  • Used by German leaders and thinkers to promote racism and extermination.
• Gustav Jäger (1870): Advocated for war as a natural law essential for survival.
• Friedrich Helwald (1875): Stressed destruction of weaker nations as progress.
• Heinrich Ziegler (1893): Suggested wars are vital for human progress.

German Colonial Actions and Genocide

• German South West Africa (Namibia):
  • Attempted genocide against the Herero people (1904-1908).
  • General von Trotha's Extermination Order: Herero extermination justified by social Darwinism.
  • Implementation: Execution, desert death, concentration camps, medical experiments.
  • Result: Over 80% of Hereros eliminated by 1908.

Militaristic Justifications

• WWI and Social Darwinism:
  • Used by military leaders to justify war as a biological necessity.
  • Friedrich von Bernhardi (1912): Argued war is essential for healthy development.
  • Count Franz Konrad von Hötzendorf: Applied Darwinian principles to foreign relations.

Post-War Social Darwinism

• Ernst Haeckel: Transitioned from pacifism to war justification under Darwinian struggle.
• Impact of WWI Defeat:
  • Social Darwinism ideology persisted post-WWI.
  • Influenced a young Bavarian corporal to embrace extreme social Darwinism.

Conclusion

• Social Darwinism's ideological influence extended beyond WWI into future conflicts.
• Set a foundation for more radical beliefs and policies in subsequent years.