ClassX Video Lessons The movement that inspired the Holocaust – Alexandra Minna Stern and Natalie Lira
Imagine being a single mother struggling to raise nine children, only to find out that your eldest daughter has been taken by authorities. This was the harsh reality for Sarah Rosas Garcia in 1938 Southern California. Her daughter, Andrea, was accused of skipping school and misbehaving, leading to her being sent to a state hospital. After an IQ test labeled her with a low score, doctors decided she should be sterilized to prevent her from passing on what they deemed a “mental deficiency.”
This story might sound like it’s from a distant authoritarian regime, but it happened in the United States. Andrea Garcia was one of many women targeted by a eugenics movement that sought to control human reproduction. The idea of eugenics, which means “to be well born” in Greek, was popularized in the 19th century by Sir Francis Galton, a British scientist. Inspired by evolution and genetics, eugenicists believed they could improve society by ensuring only “desirable” traits were passed on. Unfortunately, these traits were often defined by the prejudices of the time, targeting immigrants, people of color, and those with disabilities as “unfit” for reproduction.
As eugenics gained traction in the early 20th century, many countries adopted policies to restrict immigration and ban interracial marriages, all in the name of “racial hygiene.” These ideas reached their horrific peak in Nazi Germany, where millions of Jews and other marginalized groups were systematically murdered. While the Nazi regime’s actions were extreme, similar eugenics policies were evident worldwide. Countries like Sweden, Canada, and Japan also forcibly sterilized thousands of individuals.
In the U.S., eugenics led to the sterilization of over 60,000 people from 1907 to 1979. Thirty-two states passed laws mandating sterilization for those labeled “mentally defective,” often based on biased IQ tests and superficial mental health assessments. Latina women in California were particularly affected, being 59% more likely to be sterilized than other women between 1920 and 1945. California alone accounted for over a third of the nation’s sterilizations.
Andrea Garcia’s case highlights the struggles faced by many under these policies. With the help of civil rights lawyer David Marcus, Andrea’s mother challenged California’s sterilization law, arguing it violated the U.S. Constitution by denying Andrea equal protection. Although one judge sided with Andrea, the other two did not. While records suggest Andrea may have avoided the surgery, many others were not as fortunate.
Despite the negative connotations eugenics gained after World War II, practices like sterilization continued for decades. By the late 1960s, advances in human genetics and the rise of bioethics began to challenge eugenics’ influence. However, involuntary sterilization persisted in places like Sweden and the U.S. into the 1970s. It wasn’t until class action lawsuits and protests in the U.S. that California’s sterilization laws were repealed in 1979. Sadly, the issue of sterilizing marginalized communities, both legally and illegally, remains a global concern today.
Research the history and impact of the eugenics movement in a specific country other than the United States. Prepare a presentation that outlines the policies implemented, the groups targeted, and the long-term effects on society. Present your findings to the class, highlighting any connections to the global eugenics movement.
Participate in a structured debate on the ethical implications of eugenics. Divide into two groups: one supporting the historical rationale behind eugenics and the other opposing it. Use historical evidence and ethical theories to support your arguments. Reflect on how these debates inform current discussions on genetics and bioethics.
Analyze a case study of an individual affected by eugenics policies, such as Andrea Garcia. Write a report discussing the social, legal, and personal impacts of these policies on the individual and their family. Consider how similar policies might affect individuals today and propose ways to prevent such injustices.
Watch a documentary that explores the history of eugenics, such as “The Eugenics Crusade” by PBS. After the screening, engage in a group discussion about the documentary’s portrayal of eugenics, its impact on society, and the lessons learned. Discuss how media representations can influence public perception of historical events.
Write a short story or a series of diary entries from the perspective of someone living during the height of the eugenics movement. Focus on their personal experiences, challenges, and resistance to the policies. Share your work with the class and discuss how creative writing can be a powerful tool for understanding historical events and their human impact.
As a new widow, Sarah Rosas Garcia was already struggling to support her nine children when her oldest daughter was picked up by local authorities. Andrea Garcia had been accused of skipping school and engaging in inappropriate behavior, leading the authorities responsible for juvenile delinquents to commit her to a state hospital. After being administered an IQ test and receiving a low score, the doctors made their decision. They informed Sarah that her 19-year-old daughter would be sterilized to prevent passing on what the state viewed as a mental deficiency.
This troubling story may seem like a tale from an authoritarian regime, but it actually took place in Southern California in 1938. Andrea Garcia was one of thousands of marginalized women targeted by the state’s eugenics campaign. Since ancient times, there have been efforts to control human populations through reproduction, aiming to retain certain traits while eliminating others. The 19th century saw the emergence of a new scientific movement inspired by the discoveries of evolution and genetics. In 1883, British scientist Sir Francis Galton coined the term “eugenics,” derived from the Greek word meaning “to be well born.”
This modern wave of eugenicists included prominent scientists and reformers who believed they could improve society by ensuring that only desirable traits were passed down. However, their definitions of desirable traits were largely influenced by the prejudices of their time. Entire groups of people, including immigrants, people of color, and individuals with disabilities, were deemed “unfit” for reproduction. The ideal genetic standard promoted by the movement reflected the characteristics of white Europeans of Nordic or Anglo-Saxon descent.
As the influence of eugenics spread in the early 20th century, many countries implemented restrictive immigration policies and outlawed interracial unions. These measures aimed at improving so-called “racial hygiene” culminated in the horrific actions of Nazi Germany, where millions of Jews and individuals from other marginalized groups were systematically killed. While the brutality of Nazi eugenics was extreme, similar standards were evident worldwide. Throughout the mid-20th century, many countries enacted eugenics policies, and governments in Sweden, Canada, and Japan forcibly sterilized thousands of individuals.
In the United States, sterilization was particularly prevalent. From 1907 to 1979, U.S. policies enforced the sterilization of over 60,000 people, with 32 states passing laws mandating sterilization for individuals deemed “mentally defective.” This label was often assigned based on superficial mental health diagnoses and biased IQ test results. In California, Latina women were disproportionately affected, being 59% more likely to be sterilized than other women during the period from 1920 to 1945. California alone accounted for over one-third of the country’s sterilization operations.
Andrea Garcia’s case reflects the experiences of many individuals subjected to these policies. With the assistance of civil rights lawyer David Marcus, Andrea’s mother argued that California’s sterilization law violated the U.S. Constitution by depriving Andrea of her rights to equal protection under the law. While one of the three judges overseeing the case voted to spare Andrea, the other two did not. Records suggest that Andrea may have escaped the impending surgery, but many others did not.
Although eugenics gained negative connotations after the atrocities of World War II, many of its practices, including sterilization, persisted for decades. By the late 1960s, research into human genetics had become more nuanced, and bioethics began to mitigate the influence of eugenics. Nevertheless, Sweden and the U.S. continued to pursue involuntary sterilization well into the 1970s. Ultimately, class action lawsuits and protests in the U.S. prompted lawmakers to repeal California’s sterilization laws in 1979. Unfortunately, the legal and illegal sterilization of marginalized communities continues to be a pressing issue around the globe today.
Eugenics – A movement aimed at improving the genetic composition of the human race through selective breeding and other methods. – The eugenics movement in the early 20th century led to controversial policies that sought to control reproduction among certain populations.
Sterilization – A medical procedure used to permanently prevent reproduction, often used coercively in historical contexts to control population growth among specific groups. – Forced sterilization was a dark chapter in history, often targeting marginalized communities under the guise of public health.
Immigration – The process by which people move to a new country or region in order to settle there, often for economic, social, or political reasons. – Immigration has played a crucial role in shaping the cultural and demographic landscape of nations throughout history.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, and the interpretation of those events to understand their impact on the present and future. – Understanding history is essential for analyzing how past events influence current social and political dynamics.
Racism – A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, often resulting in discrimination or prejudice against certain races. – Racism has been a persistent issue throughout history, affecting the social and economic opportunities available to minority groups.
Genetics – The branch of biology that deals with heredity and the variation of organisms, often intersecting with social studies in discussions of identity and ancestry. – Advances in genetics have sparked debates about the ethical implications of genetic testing and its impact on concepts of race and identity.
Civil Rights – The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality, often associated with movements to end discrimination and promote equal opportunities. – The civil rights movement of the 1960s was pivotal in challenging systemic racism and advocating for equal rights in the United States.
Marginalized – Referring to groups or individuals who are pushed to the edge of society, often lacking access to resources, rights, and opportunities. – Marginalized communities have historically faced significant barriers to achieving social and economic equality.
Policies – Principles or rules that guide decision-making and actions within governments, organizations, or institutions, often shaping social and economic outcomes. – Government policies on education and healthcare can significantly impact the quality of life for citizens, particularly those in underserved areas.
Discrimination – The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. – Discrimination in the workplace remains a critical issue, prompting the need for policies that promote diversity and inclusion.
