The great replacement theory originating in the late 19th century, alleges a plot by Jews and certain Western elites to supplant white Americans and Europeans with individuals of non-European descent, particularly Asians and Africans. This conspiracy theory evolved from a series of false notions that fueled white fears over time. In 1892, British-Australian author Charles Pearson warned of white displacement due to immigration, fostering “white extinction anxiety.” Journalist Édouard Drumont in France and Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti later contributed to these ideas. The eugenics movement further promoted racist ideologies, as did the fictional book “The Turner Diaries” in 1978. These ideas culminated in the works of Frenchman Renaud Camus, who asserted in his 2010 and 2011 books that white Europeans were being replaced by nonwhite people due to immigration policies and declining birth rates. The spread of this theory has fueled white supremacy, leading to terrorist acts, state violence, and propaganda campaigns in the U.S. and Europe. Instances like the 2017 Charlottesville rally and Belgian politician Dries Van Langenhove’s social media posts illustrate its impact. Xenophobia against nonwhite immigrants has surged, with false accusations linking them to criminal activities like drug smuggling. However, immigrants statistically commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens. This theory has gained significant traction, with a considerable portion of populations in France, the U.K., and the U.S. expressing concerns about being replaced by nonwhite immigrants, leading to fears about cultural identity loss. Awareness of and opposition to conspiracy theories and hatred can help combat extreme xenophobia, racism, and the rise of white supremacy, safeguarding innocent individuals from victimization.
