Part 2/17:
Throughout the first sixty years of the 20th century, a pernicious ideology took root within American elite circles—eugenics. This pseudo-scientific movement, cloaked in respectability and championed by highly esteemed universities, industrial magnates, and government officials, justified the forced sterilization, institutionalization, and social segregation of millions based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or perceived genetic "defectiveness." The tragic consequences of this era' s eugenic policies extended far beyond mere prejudice; they shaped policies that led to forcibly sterilizing individuals, committing many to mental institutions where they perished, and prohibiting marriage or even remaining unmarried, all under the guise of protecting racial and societal "health."