social darwinism quiz
what ideas were justified by the theory of Social Darwinism?
1. racism 2. economic competition 3. war 4. imperialism
charles darwin
a british naturalist who argued that all forms of life go through evolution by a process of natural selectiono
herbert spencer
adapted Darwin's theory of natural selection to make the theory of social darwinism which described how people behave in society
survival of the fittest
an idea invented by Herbert Spencer that those who were more "fit" would be more likely to survive and succeed
what kind of theory is Darwin's theory of natural selection?
biological
what was Darwin's theory of natural selection originally intended to be applied to?
biology (humans, plants, animals)
social darwinism
ideas that applied the idea of "survival of the fittest" to way and economic competition
explain Darwin's theory of natural selection
members of each species constantly competed to survive. natural selection would give rise to entirely new species. humans, like all life forms, were still evolving.
natural selection
natural forces "selected" those with physical traits best adapted to their environment and then they would pass it on to their offspring
explain why the ideas of Charles Darwin caused controversy
scientists and theologians were in a furious debate about Darwin's ideas. Christians argued that Darwin's theory reduced people to the level of animals and undermined belief in God and the soul
racism
the belief that one racial group is superior to another