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