Social Darwinism significantly influenced policies and societal attitudes in countries like Australia and Canada, particularly concerning Indigenous populations. Here’s how:
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Children were removed from Indigenous homes and sent to government-run schools so they could become more European: This statement is accurate. In both Australia and Canada, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in residential schools. The intent of these schools was to assimilate Indigenous children into Eurocentric culture, which was rooted in the belief that European societies were superior. This kind of assimilation policy was justified through social Darwinist ideas, which held that certain races or cultures were more "advanced" than others.
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Australian children were removed from their homes and sent to residential schools: This statement also holds true, particularly referring to the Stolen Generations in Australia. Indigenous Australian children were taken from their families to assimilate them into white society, mirroring practices seen in Canada.
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Indigenous groups were separated by ethnic identity, according to who appeared more European: While this captures some elements of the segregationist policies based on perceived assimilation potential, it is somewhat oversimplified and less direct than the historical reality. Many policies were more broadly aimed at cultural assimilation rather than strict ethnic separation.
Thus, the influence of social Darwinism led to detrimental policies that aimed to erase Indigenous identities and cultures in both Australia and Canada through forced assimilation.