Eugenic Nation: Faults and Frontiers of Better Breeding in Modern America (American Crossroads)

Many people assume that eugenics all but disappeared with the fall of Nazism, but as this sweeping history demonstrates, the idea of better breeding had a wide and surprising reach in the United States throughout the twentieth century. With an original emphasis on the American West, __Eugenic Nation__ brings to light many little-known facts—for example, that one-third of the involuntary sterilizations in this country occurred in California between 1909 and 1979—as it explores the influence of eugenics on phenomena as varied as race-based intelligence tests, school segregation, tropical medicine, the Border Patrol, and the environmental movement. __Eugenic Nation__ begins in the 1900s, when influential California eugenicists molded an extensive agenda of better breeding for the rest of the country. The book traces hereditarian theories of sex and gender to the culture of conformity of the 1950s and moves to the 1960s, arguing that the liberation movements of that decade emerged in part as a challenge to policies and practices informed by eugenics. Many People Assume That Eugenics All But Disappeared With The Fall Of Nazism, But As This Sweeping History Demonstrates, The Idea Of Better Breeding Had A Wide And Surprising Reach In The United States Throughout The Twentieth Century. With An Original Emphasis On The American West, Eugenic Nation Brings To Light Many Little-known Facts--for Example, That One-third Of The Involuntary Sterilizations In This Country Occurred In California Between 1909 And 1979--as It Explores The Influence Of Eugenics On Phenomena As Varied As Race-based Intelligence Tests, School Segregation, Tropical Medicine, The Border Patrol, And The Environmental Movement. Eugenic Nation Begins In The 1900s, When Influential California Eugenicists Molded An Extensive Agenda Of Better Breeding For The Rest Of The Country. The Book Traces Hereditarian Theories Of Sex And Gender To The Culture Of Conformity Of The 1950s And Moves To The 1960s, Arguing That The Liberation Movements Of That Decade Emerged In Part As A Challenge To Policies And Practices Informed By Eugenics. --publisher. Introduction -- Race Betterment And Tropical Medicine In Imperial San Francisco -- Quarantine And Eugenic Gate-keeping On The U.s-mexico Border -- Instituting Eugenics In California -- California's Eugenic Landscapes -- Centering Eugenics On The Family -- Contesting Hereditarianism. Alexandra Minna Stern. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 289-322) And Index. Many people assume that eugenics all but disappeared with the fall of Nazism, but as this sweeping history demonstrates, the idea of better breeding had a wide and surprising reach in the United States throughout the twentieth century. With an original emphasis on the American West, Eugenic Nation brings to light many little-known facts—for example, that one-third of the involuntary sterilizations in this country occurred in California between 1909 and 1979—as it explores the influence of eugenics on phenomena as varied as race-based intelligence tests, school segregation, tropical medicine, the Border Patrol, and the environmental movement.

Eugenic Nation begins in the 1900s, when influential California eugenicists molded an extensive agenda of better breeding for the rest of the country. The book traces hereditarian theories of sex and gender to the culture of conformity of the 1950s and moves to the 1960s, arguing that the liberation movements of that decade emerged in part as a challenge to policies and practices informed by eugenics. "With an emphasis on the American West, Eugenic Nation explores the long and unsettled history of eugenics in the United States. This expanded second edition includes shocking details that demonstrate that the story is far from over. Alexandra Minna Stern explores the unauthorized sterilization of female inmates in California state prisons and ongoing reparations for North Carolina victims of sterilization, as well as the topics of race-based intelligence tests, school segregation, the U.S. Border Patrol, tropical medicine, the environmental movement, and opposition to better breeding. Radically new and relevant, this edition draws from recently uncovered historical records to demonstrate patterns of racial bias in California's sterilization program and to recover personal experiences of reproductive injustice. Stern connects the eugenic past to the genomic present with attention to the ethical and social implications of emerging genetic technologies"--Provided by publisher Many people assume that eugenics all but disappeared with the fall of Nazism, but as this sweeping history demonstrates, the idea of better breeding had a wide and surprising reach in the United States throughout the twentieth century. With an original emphasis on the American West, Eugenic Nation brings to light many little-known facts as it explores the influence of eugenics on phenomena as varied as race-based intelligence tests, school segregation, tropical medicine, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the environmental movement. List of Illustrations Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations\ Introduction 1. Race Betterment and Tropical Medicine in Imperial San Francisco 2. Quarantine and Eugenic Gatekeeping on the U.S.-Mexican Border 3. Instituting Eugenics in California 4. California's Eugenic Landscapes 5. Centering Eugenics on the Family 6. Contesting Hereditarianism: Reassessing the 1960s Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index At a ceremony held in Oregon's capitol building in December 2002, Governor John Kitzhaber stood before an overflowing crowd and apologized for the more than twenty-six hundred sterilizations performed in that state between 1917 and 1983.