I understand that social Darwinism was a means of justifying colonialism, and that German colonies, or lack there of, was something of an issue in early 1900 Germany. Having been only recently formed into existence, the Germans were a little sensitive of their lack of colonies, and felt that because of that the other European powers didnt give them the respect that they felt they deserved (I am not sure, any input would be helpful). Which was one of the factors leading to war.
But here's the part that I am struggling with. How was Marxism and Darwinism related? I mean sure they both proposed that competition was the essential driving force, Darwin in is Origin of Species and Marx saying that all of human history is a class struggle. But isn't Social Darwinism a misrepresentation of Darwin's theories? And if so then how does 'true' Darwinism relate to Marxism, and in turn how do both these ideologies related to the eruption of World War 1?
Any corrections, or additional input would be highly appreciative. And yes this is for a school project....Thanks in advance for your help!
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Read Michel Foucault's Society Must Be Defended. While Foucault shouldn't be taken as gospel, this book gives an excellent overview of the relationship between Marxism and Darwinism through investigating the roots of the concept of class struggle and of survival of the fittest.
Marxism did not have an effect on "the eruption of World War 1" as there were no Marxist states at this time and many Marxists, according to Laclau and Mouffe's Hegemony and Socialist Strategy were nationalists who tended to support their nations at war.