Eugenics in America

On The Origin of Species Published

Nov 24, 1859

Sir Francis Galton's cousin, Charles Darwin, publishes his book which gives Galton the inspiration to pursue eugenics in humans

Francis Galton Coined Term "Eugenics"

Jan 1, 1883

Galton wrote his book "Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development" which encouraged positive eugenics- exclusive breeding of the higher class

First Compulsory Sterilization Law in U.S.

Jan 1, 1907

Indiana becomes first state to pass a compulsory sterilization law, mainly aimed at the mentally ill or "intellectually disabled"

First International Eugenics Congress

Jul 22, 1912

Fitter Family Contests

Jan 1, 1920

Starting in Kansas at a state fair and influenced by "Better Baby" contests, these contests promoted attractiveness and overall health of a family, and mainly their ability to produce healthy offspring.

Second Internation Eugenics Congress

Sep 25, 1921

Buck v. Bell

May 2, 1927

The Supreme Court upheld a Virginia law that allowed compulsory sterilization

Third International Eugenics Congress

Aug 22, 1932

WWII

Period: Sep 1, 1939 to Sep 2, 1945

Nazis adopted Eugenics Ideology

Skinner v Oklahoma

Jun 1, 1942

Deemed forced sterilization unconstitutional when not a consistent punishment for the same crime