Eugenics Becomes Law

Eugenics Becomes Law

Michigan Proposes Forced Sterilization Legislation

Michigan was the first state to propose forced sterilization legislation. Proposed in 1897 by W.R. Edgar, the bill failed.

Michigan did eventually pass forced sterilization legislation in 1913. It was the first state to propose such legislation in America.

A parchment textured image reads "Michigan Legislature 1897" with the state crest. Pairs of white men take up the majority of the rest of the page.

"Michigan House of Representatives - 1897-17" Stephen Haynes

A white man with wire frame glasses stares at the viewer. He's wearing a black suit and light tie. A caption reads "First Eugenic Sterilizer."

Dr. Sharp, "First Eugenic Sterilizer" University of Vermont

Indiana Makes History

Unnoticed by most of the nation, Indiana became the first state to legalize forced sterilization. The effort was directed at criminals, many of whom would never be informed that they were sterile.

The effort was made by two doctors, Dr. Sharp and Dr. Hurty.

"Drs. Sharp and Hurty lobbied the Indiana legislature to pass a bill for mandatory sterilization of all convicts...What failed in Michigan and Pennsylvania found greater success in Indiana. Throughout 1906, Sharp ramped up his campaign... On January 29, 1907, Indiana Representative Horace Reed introduced Sharp's bill... Three weeks later, with little debate, Indiana's House approved the eugenic proposal... About two weeks later... Indiana's Senate ratified the bill... Indiana thereby made its mark on medical history..." (Black, 66-67).

Indiana became the first of many states to legalize forced sterilization.

Map of Sterilization Laws (1907 - 2012)

With eugenics now legal in Indiana, forced sterilization had a foothold. California would go on to perform one-third of all sterilizations in the United States. 

A map of the United States is color coded. WA, OR, CA, ID, UT, AZ, MT, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, MN, IA, WI, MI, MS, AL, GA, SC, NC, VA, WV, CT, DE, VT, NH, ME are all in red. NV, PA, NY, NJ, IN, are all in light orange. WY, MO, KY, OH, MD, HI and LA are all in yellow. CO, MN, TX, AR, TN, IL, AK, FL, RI, MA are all green. A legend in bold font reads "Red has forced sterilization legislation" "orange vetoed/ repealed/ struck down forced sterilization legislation" "yellow considered forced sterilization legislation" and "green has not forced sterilization legislation."

"Eugenics: Compulsory Sterilization in 50 American States," 2012, University of Vermont

Forced Sterilizations Shown by State as Percentage of Total

Illinois and Pennsylvania’s sterilizations were illegal.

Hover over pie chart for more details.

"Eugenics: Compulsory Sterilization in 50 American States," 2012, University of Vermont