A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What social theory was used to justify the intellectual inferiority of African Americans during the Gilded Age?

1. Capitalism

2. Social Darwinism

3. Marxism

4. Liberalism

The correct answer is: Social Darwinism

The justification of the intellectual inferiority of African Americans during the Gilded Age can be significantly attributed to Social Darwinism. This theory applied the ideas of Charles Darwin’s evolutionary principles to social and economic issues, suggesting that societal progress was driven by natural selection. Proponents of Social Darwinism argued that certain races were inherently superior to others, leading to the belief that African Americans were less evolved and therefore less capable intellectually and socially. This doctrine provided a pseudo-scientific rationale for racial discrimination and the social hierarchies that were prevalent during this period. It was often used to support the status quo regarding segregation, disenfranchisement, and the broader systemic inequalities faced by African Americans. By framing racial differences as a natural consequence of evolution, those who subscribed to Social Darwinism dismissed the impact of social, economic, and political factors on the status and condition of African Americans, reinforcing stereotypes and justifying inequality. Other theories mentioned, such as Capitalism, Marxism, and Liberalism, do not specifically address racial superiority or inferiority in the same vein. Capitalism focuses on economic systems and class struggle, Marxism critiques capitalism from a class perspective rather than a racial one, and Liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality, which directly conflicts