Eugenics in California

Napa State Hospital c. 1900

Eugenics in California refers to the study and practice of eugenics—a set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of the human population—specifically as it was applied and implemented in the state of California, United States, during the 20th century. California's eugenics programs were some of the most robust and influential in the United States, significantly impacting the lives of thousands of individuals and influencing eugenics movements both nationally and internationally.

History

The eugenics movement in California began in the early 1900s, gaining momentum with the establishment of the Eugenics Record Office and influenced by prominent eugenicists such as Charles Davenport and Harry H. Laughlin. California became a leading state in the eugenics movement due to its adoption of eugenic policies and practices, including sterilization laws, marriage restrictions, and immigration controls aimed at those deemed unfit for reproduction.

Sterilization Laws

In 1909, California passed its first sterilization law, allowing for the sterilization of individuals considered to be mentally ill or deficient. This law was expanded and more rigorously enforced in the 1920s and 1930s, leading to the sterilization of over 20,000 individuals by the 1950s, making California the state with the highest number of sterilizations in the United States. The criteria for sterilization often included a broad range of mental and physical disabilities, as well as criminal behavior or simply being under the care of a state institution.

Influence and Expansion

The practices and policies of eugenics in California did not occur in isolation but were part of a larger national and international eugenics movement. California's programs and research were influential in the drafting of eugenics laws in other states and countries, including the infamous Nuremberg Laws in Nazi Germany. The state's institutions, such as the Human Betterment Foundation, played a significant role in promoting eugenics ideology both within and beyond the United States.

Criticism and Legacy

The eugenics movement in California, as well as the wider United States, faced significant criticism and opposition from various quarters, including from those who saw it as a violation of human rights and individual autonomy. The movement began to decline in the mid-20th century, particularly after World War II, when the association of eugenics with Nazi atrocities brought widespread condemnation.

Despite the decline of the eugenics movement, the legacy of eugenics in California remains controversial and painful, particularly for the families and communities affected by sterilization and other eugenic practices. In recent years, there have been efforts to acknowledge and address this legacy, including apologies from state officials and proposals for reparations to victims of forced sterilization.

See Also

• History of California
• Eugenics
• Sterilization (medicine)
• Human Betterment Foundation