Answer:
Social Darwinism and the Social Gospel were two influential movements in American society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These two movements had different views of the role of government and the nature of society, yet both influenced American thought and policy in significant ways.
Social Darwinism was a theory that applied Darwin's concepts of evolution and natural selection to society. It argued that competition and survival of the fittest should be the guiding principles of modern society. Social Darwinists believed that the government should not intervene in social or economic matters because it would interfere with the natural process of competition and the survival of the fittest. This philosophy was used to justify laissez-faire capitalism and the accumulation of wealth by the wealthy.
The Social Gospel movement, on the other hand, was a response to the social problems caused by industrialization and urbanization. It emphasized the importance of Christian principles in addressing these problems, including poverty, inequality, and social injustice. Social Gospel advocates believed that the government had a responsibility to address these social problems, and that Christian values should guide public policy.
The influences of these two movements on American society were significant. Social Darwinism shaped the way people thought about capitalism and the role of government in the late 19th century. It contributed to the rise of big business and the idea that the wealthy deserved their wealth because they were the fittest. It also perpetuated the notion that the poor were responsible for their own struggles.
The Social Gospel, on the other hand, had a more positive influence on American society. It inspired many social reform movements, such as the progressive movement and the labor movement. The Social Gospel also played a significant role in the development of the American welfare state, and helped shape ideas about the government's responsibility to address social problems.
In conclusion, Social Darwinism and the Social Gospel were two influential movements in American society that had different views on the role of government and society. While Social Darwinism was used to justify laissez-faire capitalism and the accumulation of wealth, the Social Gospel inspired social reform movements and helped shape the development of the American welfare state.