The passing of the great race; or, The racial basis of European history

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

68185

Title

The passing of the great race; or, The racial basis of European history

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Madison Grant presents a controversial historical argument asserting that European civilization was built by a superior Nordic race, now threatened by the decline of hereditary traits and the rise of inferior groups. This text advocates for eugenics and racial purity as essential for preserving Western culture and political stability.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The Passing of the Great Race*, Madison Grant presents a controversial thesis that human history is fundamentally a record of racial struggle rather than mere national or linguistic evolution. Grant argues that 'genius' and moral character are inherited traits determined by stock, not environment or education. He traces European history from Paleolithic man to the modern era, claiming that the Nordic race, originating in Asia, brought civilization to Europe before being gradually displaced by 'inferior' races such as the Alpine and Mediterranean types. Grant details the biological and cultural decline of Europe, attributing the fall of Rome and the Dark Ages to the mixing of Nordic blood with less capable groups. He warns that the 'great race' is passing, replaced by traits of less noble character, which threatens the integrity of American and European institutions. The book serves as a polemic for the conservation of hereditary forces, urging the selection and regulation of breeding to maintain the 'best spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical forces' of humanity. Grant concludes that the survival of Western civilization depends on preventing the gradual dying out of superior hereditary traits and their replacement by those of lesser capacity. The work is heavily influenced by the eugenics movement of the early 20th century, as noted in the preface by Henry Fairfield Osborn. Osborn emphasizes that heredity possesses a deep, subtle, and permanent influence on human actions, far surpassing the temporary effects of environment or education. He asserts that the moral tendency of Grant's interpretation aligns with the modern eugenics movement, aiming to conserve and multiply the best hereditary forces for the nation. Osborn warns that the greatest danger threatening America is the gradual dying out of hereditary traits through which religious, political, and social foundations were laid, and their insidious replacement by traits of less noble character. Grant's narrative posits that without a superior race, humanity risks reverting to savagery, a fate he suggests is already occurring in various parts of the world as superior populations decline.

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Categories

• Ethnology
• History