Page 140 - The Social Weapon: Darwinism

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Social Darwinism's twisted views are one of the main rea-
sons for the wars, conflict and slaughter that have continued un-

abated since the 19th century. As a result of the constant calls for
war, even some who knew nothing about Social Darwinism fell
under its spell.
In the early 20th century, those who came to believe that
war was essential were not just a group of marginal ideologues,
but a great many journalists, academics, politicians and civil ser-
77
vants. They encouraged the eradication of women, children,
the elderly and the needy, and the heedless expense of young
lives on the battlefield supposedly for the “benefit of humanity.”
These views were shared at the very highest levels. For in-
stance, German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg
subscribed to the belief, common among the middle class when
World War I began, that conflict between Slav and Teuton was
78
inevitable. The Kaiser is known to have held similar views.
Many historians regard the wicked claims that war was un-
avoidable and the cleansing of inferior races was natural and
useful as some of the principal causes of World War I.
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was also one of the

most prominent supporters of Social Darwinism in Germany.
According to him, the ideal social system should be based on
armed conflict: “Man shall be trained for war and woman for
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the recreation of the warrior; all else is folly.” According to
Nietzsche's twisted view, life consisted solely of war, and war
contained everything within it.
Hitler, a fanatical Social Darwinist and great admirer of
both Darwin and Nietzsche, put their warlike views into prac-
tice. Combining militarist thinking with the theory of evolution,
Hitler said:

The whole of nature is a continuous struggle between strength
and weakness, and eternal victory of the strong over the weak. 80

The Social Weapon: Darwinism