No, it goes back much further. See
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics
"Eugenics (
/juːˈdʒɛnɪks/; from
Greek εὐγενής
eugenes 'well-born' from εὖ
eu, 'good, well' and γένος
genos, 'race, stock, kin')
[2][3] is a set of beliefs and practices that aims at improving the
genetic quality of a
human population.
[4][5] The exact definition of
eugenics has been a matter of debate since the
term was coined by Francis Galton in 1883. The concept predates this coinage, with
Plato suggesting applying the principles of selective breeding to humans around 400 BCE.…
"A
major criticism of eugenics policies is that, regardless of whether "negative" or "positive" policies are used, they are susceptible to abuse because the
criteria of selection are determined by whichever group is in political power at the time. Furthermore, negative eugenics in particular is considered by many to be a violation of basic human rights, which include the right to reproduction. Another criticism is that eugenic policies eventually lead to a
loss of genetic diversity, resulting in inbreeding depression due to lower genetic variation."
"Frederick Osborn's 1937 journal article "Development of a Eugenic Philosophy"
[6] framed it as a
social philosophy—that is, a philosophy with implications for
social order. That definition is not universally accepted. Osborn advocated for higher rates of
sexual reproduction among people with desired traits (positive eugenics), or reduced rates of sexual reproduction and
sterilization of people with less-desired or undesired traits (negative eugenics). …
"While eugenic principles have been practiced as far back in world history as
ancient Greece, the modern
history of eugenics began in the early 20th century when a popular eugenics movement emerged in the
United Kingdom[8] and spread to many countries including the
United States,
Canada[9] and most
European countries. In this period,
eugenic ideas were espoused across the political spectrum."
(My emphasis - more @ the URL)
Negative eugenics was all the rage @ the point that Caucasian nations noticed how many more non-Caucasians than Caucasians there are in the World. There was an accompanying concern that Caucasian nations were becoming
soft & effete, & so on - the rationale for inventing football & instituting it @ the US collegiate level. This also played to the concern for our young men to be manly, go out West, & an abiding societal nostalgia for cowboys (the penny dreadful & Hollywood/TV version, not the real thing).