“War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America’s Campaign to Create a Master Race” by Edwin Black explores the history of the eugenics movement in the United States, its philosophical underpinnings, and its impact on society. The book details how eugenics influenced policies aimed at controlling human reproduction, promoting racial purity, and ultimately, how these ideas contributed to the horrors of the Holocaust. Black argues that the eugenics movement was not only a European phenomenon but had deep roots and significant implementation in America.
Topics the Book Covers:
Introduction to Eugenics
Definition and origins of eugenics
Overview of key figures in the movement
The Philosophical Foundations
Social Darwinism and its influence
The role of science and pseudoscience in promoting eugenics
Eugenics in America
Early eugenics movements in the U.S.
Key organizations and individuals involved (e.g., American Eugenics Society)
Public support and government endorsement
Legislation and Policies
Overview of significant laws (e.g., sterilization laws)
Case studies of states implementing eugenics policies
Impact on marginalized groups (disabled, minorities)
Eugenics and Immigration
How eugenics influenced immigration policies
Racial and ethnic discrimination in immigration laws
The Role of Institutions
Eugenics in education and public health
The involvement of universities and medical institutions
International Influence
American eugenics’ impact on Nazi Germany
The transfer of ideas and practices across borders
Public Backlash and Decline
Critiques and challenges to eugenics
The eventual decline of the movement post-World War II
Legacy of Eugenics
Lasting effects on American society and policies
Modern implications and ethical discussions
Conclusion: Reflections on the moral lessons of the eugenics movement and call for awareness and vigilance against similar ideologies today.
War Against the Weak_eBook
War Against the Weak is the gripping chronicle documenting how American corporate philanthropies launched a national campaign of ethnic cleansing in the United States, helped found and fund the Nazi eugenics of Hitler and Mengele — and then created the modern movement of “human genetics.” Some 60,000 Americans were sterilized under laws in 27 states. This expanded edition includes two new essays on state genocide.
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War Against the Weak_Audiobook
Part 1
Audio start in earnest (Introduction @ 15 mins. 38 sec.) and corresponds to page 20 of the above Reader.
Part 2
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“Capitalism and Slavery” by Eric Williams is a seminal work that investigates the relationship between the rise of capitalism in Europe and the system of slavery in the Americas. Williams argues that the profits derived from the slave trade and plantation economies were instrumental in fueling the growth of European capitalism, particularly in Britain. The book challenges conventional historical narratives that separate economic development from the exploitation of enslaved people, highlighting how slavery was not only a moral issue but also a critical economic factor in the development of modern capitalism. Williams’ analysis underscores the interconnectedness of race, economics, and history, making a significant contribution to the study of both slavery and economic history.
Essential Themes and Arguments:
Introduction
Overview of the book’s objectives and significance
Introduction to the central thesis linking capitalism and slavery
Contextualization of the historical period under discussion
The Economic Foundations of Slavery
Analysis of the economic motivations behind the transatlantic slave trade
The role of sugar and other cash crops in the Caribbean economy
Examination of the financial networks that supported the slave trade
The Impact of Slavery on British Capitalism
Discussion of how profits from slavery contributed to British industrialization
Examination of the relationship between slave-derived wealth and British economic growth
Analysis of the investment in infrastructure and industry enabled by slave profits
Political and Social Implications
Exploration of the political considerations surrounding slavery and abolition
Discussion of the social tensions and class struggles linked to the slave economy
Examination of the role of enslaved people in resisting their oppression
Abolition and Its Consequences
Analysis of the abolition movement and its economic implications
Discussion of the motivations behind abolition, including economic shifts
Examination of the effects of abolition on both the colonies and Britain
Racial Ideologies and Economic Interests
Exploration of how racial theories justified slavery and exploitation
Discussion of the intersection of race and economics in shaping societal views
Examination of the legacy of these ideologies in contemporary society
Legacy of Slavery in Modern Capitalism
Reflection on the long-term economic effects of slavery on global capitalism
Discussion of the continued inequalities stemming from historical exploitation
Analysis of how understanding this legacy informs current socio-economic debates
Conclusion
Summary of key themes and arguments presented throughout the book
Final reflections on the importance of recognizing the ties between capitalism and slavery
Call for a reevaluation of historical narratives regarding slavery and economic development
Capitalism and Slavery by Eric Williams_eBook
Slavery helped finance the Industrial Revolution in England. Plantation owners, shipbuilders, and merchants connected with the slave trade accumulated vast fortunes that established banks and heavy industry in Europe and expanded the reach of capitalism worldwide. Eric Williams advanced these powerful ideas in Capitalism and Slavery, published in 1944. Years ahead of its time, his profound critique became the foundation for studies of imperialism and economic development. Binding an economic view of history with strong moral argument, Williams’s study of the role of slavery in financing the Industrial Revolution refuted traditional ideas of economic and moral progress and firmly established the centrality of the African slave trade in European economic development. He also showed that mature industrial capitalism in turn helped destroy the slave system. Establishing the exploitation of commercial capitalism and its link to racial attitudes, Williams employed a historicist vision that set the tone for future studies. In a new introduction, Colin Palmer assesses the lasting impact of Williams’s groundbreaking work and analyzes the heated scholarly debates it generated when it first appeared.
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Capitalism and Slavery by Eric Williams_Audiobook
Capitalism and Slavery – Eric William – 75 Years Later- 2 Day Symposium
The CARICOM Reparations Commission in collaboration with the UWI Centre for Reparation Research and the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the UWI St. Augustine Campus is hosting an academic symposium to commemorate the 75th year of the publication of Eric Williams’ Capitalism and Slavery on the 13th November 2019. The themes to be discussed include: • Williams’ Caribbean Vision • The Profits from Enslavement (16th – 19th Century) • Impact of Capitalism and Slavery on the world today (21st Century) • Capitalism and Slavery and Reparations • Capitalism and Slavery – Global Connections • Decolonising Caribbean History At this symposium, we seek to gather scholars, intellectuals, corporate interest groups, artists, and activists to join us to examine the impact of Eric Williams and his work on the contemporary Caribbean and wider world. This symposium will also provide an opportunity to discuss his legacy with the next generation of leaders and intellectuals. Such commemorative activities are taking place all over the world. Symposiums will be held in Britain and the United States. We are adding the Caribbean’s voice through this symposium at the UWI.
“Mau Mau in Harlem?: The U.S. and the Liberation of Kenya” is a book by historian Gerald Horne which explores the connections between the African-American Civil Rights movement in the United States and the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, specifically how the struggle for Kenyan independence resonated with African Americans, leading to a sense of solidarity and even the idea of a “Mau Mau” movement within Harlem and other Black communities in the U.S.
Key points about the book:
Focus on the Mau Mau: The book delves into the Mau Mau Uprising, a violent guerrilla campaign by Kenyan Kikuyu people against British colonial rule in the 1950s, primarily focused on land rights and self-determination.
Harlem connection: It analyzes how the struggles of the Mau Mau movement were closely followed and supported by African Americans in Harlem, New York, who saw parallels with their own fight for civil rights in the United States.
Scholarly research: Horne draws on extensive archival research conducted in the US, UK, and Kenya to provide a nuanced understanding of the interconnectedness between the two movements.
Impact on Black consciousness: The book argues that the Mau Mau rebellion contributed to a growing sense of Black consciousness and solidarity among African Americans, further fueling the civil rights movement.
The Mau Mau Uprising: This was a violent resistance movement against British colonial rule in Kenya, primarily led by the Kikuyu tribe, during the 1950s.
African (American) Solidarity: The book argues that African Americans saw parallels between the Kenyan struggle against British colonialism and their own fight for civil rights in the U.S., leading to significant support for the Mau Mau movement within the Black community.
Malcolm X’s “Mau Mau in Harlem” reference: A prominent example of this connection is Malcolm X’s statement about the potential need for a “Mau Mau” style uprising in Harlem, signifying a willingness to use more militant tactics to achieve racial equality.
Historical Context: The book examines the broader historical context of the Cold War, where the U.S. was keen to demonstrate its anti-colonial stance, leading to some level of support for Kenyan independence.
Mau Mau in Harlem, Gerald Horne?_eBook
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Mau Mau in Harlem, Gerald Horne?_Audiobook
Audio start in earnest (Introduction @ 4 mins. 45 sec.) and corresponds to page 12 of the above Reader.
Part 1
Part 2
Mau Mau Warrior Illustrated eBook, by Abiodun Alao (Author), Christa Hook (Illustrator).
Amazon Books: “Osprey’s study of the Mau Mau Rebellion (1952-1960) in Kenya and its fighters. The Mau Mau Freedom Fighters waged a guerrilla war for eight years against their British colonial rulers, which became known as the Mau Mau Uprising. The Mau Mau sought to win back their land and independence. This underground militia was an extremely powerful force employing tactics, which included the assassination of British settlers and the Africans who collaborated with the British, as well as raiding colonial prisons for weapons and staging daring ambushes in the Kenyan forests and mountains. The conflict saw these untrained warriors, deemed by many to be terrorists employ an innovative mix of traditional African warfare tactics, counterinsurgency methods and European firepower. The uprising ended in failure but set the stage for Kenyan independence in 1963. This title will explore their unique motivations, training and tactics, as well as their battle experience.”
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