Visit the C-SPAN Mobile Site

Congress, Politics, Books
and American History

#cspan  
First Ladies: Influence and Image - Book
American History TV

Lectures in History: Eugenics in Early 20th Century America

Map of States With Forced Sterilization Legislation (1921)

Map of States With Forced Sterilization Legislation (1921)

Bozeman, Montana
Saturday, March 9, 2013

Professor Robert Rydell of Montana State University examines the history of eugenics in early 20th century America. Eugenics is a science that advocates improving the hereditary qualities of a race through controlled mating. Professor Rydell talks about some of the eugenics studies and experiments that took place in the U.S., as well as eugenics-based forced sterilization laws passed by several states that targeted the "feebleminded."

Updated: Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 5:03pm (ET)

Share This Event Via Social Media
C-SPAN Gifts (late 2012)