Final answer:
Late 19th and early 20th-century reformers were often part of social Darwinism, which used pseudo-scientific principles to justify racial and classist hierarchies and discouraged assistance to those considered 'unfit' to improve the human gene pool. It played a significant role in shaping attitudes toward social policies and justified the eugenics movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reformers in the late 19th and early 20th century were often part of rampant social Darwinism that at times intertwined with social Darwinism. Social Darwinism, inspired by a loose interpretation of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, maintains that human advancement would be facilitated if those unable to effectively compete in society are not artificially assisted, thus unlikely to pass on inferior traits. This pseudoscientific belief was used to justify racist and classist attitudes, claiming the existence of superior and inferior races and classes due to biological differences. Arguably, it was Herbert Spencer, not Darwin, who coined the phrase 'the survival of the fittest', applying Darwin's evolutionary theory to human societies and reinforcing social inequalities.
Moreover, within the era's tumultuous social landscape, fears of societal degeneration emerged, fueled by the conditions of working-class life, drug use, and alcoholism. Social Darwinists argued against charity and reform, positing that aid to the poor or 'unfit' would only encourage the survival of weak traits in the human gene pool. Eventually, these beliefs led to the development of eugenics, advocating for the sterilization of those deemed 'unfit' to prevent their reproduction. The effects of social Darwinism were profound, influencing attitudes towards racism, sexism, charitable efforts, and ultimately, the policies pertaining to the treatment of various social groups.