Howdy folks,
I was having a discussion with a Catholic conservative friend who brought up the early 20th century eugenics movement; his argument was that eugenics were, as a rule, supported by "progressives" and that it was "conservatives and Catholics" who made a stand and where later proven right. Is this view valid?
I'd say it truly depends where. These eugenic movements were not homogenous and were particular to the regions they rose up in.
The Canadian example is best captured by the province of Alberta - who ran the most vigorous eugenics program before and after WWII. The enabling legislature was the Sexual Sterilization Act of Alberta and the early supporters of such legislation are odd indeed - among them was one of the Canadian 'famous five' and early members of the Social Democrats.
The first attempt to push the act through legislature failed largely due to huge backlashes from the right and centrist parties.