How Did Europeans Use Social Darwinism to Justify Empire Building?
Social Darwinism, a theory that rose to prominence in the 19th century, played a significant role in Europe’s empire-building efforts. Rooted in Charles Darwin’s concept of “survival of the fittest”, Social Darwinism took this biological principle and applied it to human societies and races. The belief was that certain races were naturally superior, destined to rule over others. Europeans used this framework as justification for their expansionist agendas.
To understand just how influential Social Darwinism was, it’s important to remember the context of the times. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, European powers were locked in fierce competition for global dominance. Territories rich with resources were coveted prizes, fueling economic prosperity back home. In their eyes, Social Darwinism provided a moral basis for their colonial pursuits.
While today we recognize these ideas as deeply flawed and harmful, they held sway during an era marked by imperialism and Eurocentrism. This misguided application of evolutionary science gave Europeans what they believed was a natural right – even duty – to conquer less developed nations in Africa, Asia and elsewhere. It’s a sobering reminder of how scientific concepts can be twisted to fit political purposes.
Origins of Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism’s roots extend back to the mid-19th century, coinciding with Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work on natural selection. However, it’s important to clarify one thing right off the bat: Social Darwinism isn’t a concept that sprang from the mind of Charles Darwin himself. Instead, it was a notion developed by others who sought to apply his theories to human society.
Herbert Spencer, an English philosopher and contemporary of Darwin, is often credited as one such individual. He coined the phrase “survival of the fittest”, which has since become synonymous with Social Darwinism. Spencer believed that this principle could be used to explain both biological evolution and societal advancement.
Around this same period in history, Europe was undergoing rapid industrialization and colonial expansion. Many Europeans saw parallels between their own societies’ growth and what they understood of natural selection. They began using these ideas as a rationale for dominance over other cultures and regions—a practice we now recognize as empire-building.
This interpretation tied neatly into existing beliefs about racial superiority and Manifest Destiny. It offered a pseudoscientific justification for imperialism by suggesting that some races were more evolved than others.
Here are a few statistics that highlight this time frame:
| Year | Event |
| 1859 | Publication of Charles Darwin’s “On The Origin Of Species” |
| 1864 | Herbert Spencer coins “Survival Of The Fittest” in Principles Of Biology |
In sum, while Social Darwinism wasn’t an idea proposed by Charles Darwin himself, it nonetheless grew out of interpretations—some might argue misinterpretations—of his work on natural selection.
- Key figures: Charles Darwin (1809–1882), Herbert Spencer (1820–1903)
- Key concepts: Natural selection, survival of the fittest
- Associated events: Industrial Revolution (1760-1840), European Colonial Expansion (15th-20th centuries)
Implementing these principles led some Europeans to believe they were superior races because they had achieved significant technological advancements compared to other continents during the 19th century. Consequently, they felt justified in claiming other countries as part of their empires under the premise that they were helping ‘lesser’ societies evolve.