Striving for National Fitness: Eugenics in Australia 1910s to 1930s

摘要: Eugenics movements developed early this century in more than 20 countries, including Australia. However, for many years the vast literature on eugenics focused almost exclusively history of Britain and America. While some aspects Australia are now being documented, movement largely remained to be written. Australians experienced both fears hopes at time Federation 1901. Some feared that white population was declining degenerating but they also hoped create a new utopian society which would outstrip achievements, avoid poverty industrial unrest, responded these mixed emotions by combining notions efficiency progress with eugenic ideas about maximising growth filling "empty spaces". It taking actions "racial suicide" or Asian invasion improve national fitness, thus avoiding decay" starting "paradise physical perfection". This thesis considers impact examining three related propositions: 1. from 1910s 1930s, were readily accepted because concerns birth rate; 2. that, while mainly derivative, Australian had several distinctive qualities; 3. has legacy disciplines, particularly family planning public health. examination is primarily perspective people, publications organisations contributed first half century. In addition consideration their reference made influence such diverse fields as education, immigration, law, literature, politics, psychology science.