Industrial Capitalism · World History

What role did 'Social Darwinism' play in the ideology of late 19th-century capitalism?

  1. It encouraged the government to provide a safety net for the weak
  2. It argued that economic competition was a natural process where only the 'fittest' should survive
  3. It promoted the idea that all humans are naturally equal in economic potential
  4. It suggested that animals should be used more frequently in factories
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Correct answer: It argued that economic competition was a natural process where only the 'fittest' should survive

Social Darwinists misapplied biological theories to society, suggesting that the wealth of the elite was proof of their natural superiority. This ideology was used to argue against labor unions and social welfare programs.

Difficulty: Medium Question 1 of 10

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