Race suicide

October 20 1919 President Wilson's Private Secretary Is Not an Advocate of Race Suicide

Race suicide is a term that was popularized in the early 20th century to describe the perceived threat to a nation's or race's survival due to declining birth rates among its dominant population. The concept was often used in discussions about eugenics, immigration, and nationalism.

Historical Context

The term "race suicide" was first coined by Edward A. Ross, a prominent sociologist, in the early 1900s. Ross and other proponents of the idea argued that the declining birth rates among the Anglo-Saxon population in the United States and other Western countries posed a significant threat to the future of these nations. They believed that if the birth rates of the dominant racial group continued to decline, it would lead to their eventual extinction or subjugation by other racial groups with higher birth rates.

Eugenics and Race Suicide

The concept of race suicide was closely linked to the eugenics movement, which sought to improve the genetic quality of the human population through selective breeding. Proponents of eugenics argued that encouraging higher birth rates among the "fit" and reducing birth rates among the "unfit" would prevent race suicide. This often involved advocating for policies that restricted immigration from certain countries, promoted sterilization of individuals deemed unfit, and encouraged higher birth rates among the dominant racial group.

Immigration and Nationalism

Race suicide was also a significant concern for nationalists who feared that high levels of immigration from non-Western countries would lead to the dilution of the dominant racial group's cultural and genetic heritage. This fear was often expressed in terms of preserving the nation's identity and ensuring its future prosperity. Policies aimed at restricting immigration and promoting higher birth rates among the dominant racial group were seen as essential measures to prevent race suicide.

Criticism and Decline of the Concept

The concept of race suicide has been widely criticized for its racist and xenophobic undertones. Critics argue that it is based on unfounded fears and pseudoscientific ideas about race and genetics. The decline in birth rates among certain populations is often attributed to social and economic factors rather than a threat to the survival of a race. As a result, the term has largely fallen out of use and is considered outdated and offensive in contemporary discourse.

See Also

• Eugenics
• Immigration
• Nationalism
• Sterilization
• Anglo-Saxon