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Charles Darwin Lifespan
British Naturalist that developed the theory of evolution based on natural selection. He is responsible for introducing the thoughts of evolution and how environmental factors can drive evolution. -
Launched voyage on the HMS Beagle
Darwin began his 5 year voyage collecting a variety of plants, fossils, birds and other natural specimens. -
Galapagos Island
During this voyage Darwin went to many places but the most influential place he visited was the Galapagos Islands. Here he studied 14 species of Galapagos finches. These finches all came from a common ancestor but showed adaptive radiation. The shape of their beaks were different based on their diets and habitats. Galapagos Finches -
Theory of Evolution
Darwin releases "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection". Though his book was very popular he received a lot of negative feedback. People began to say he developed that humans came from monkeys but that isn't what he said. He said that from his research humans and monkeys have a common ancestor. These theories also challenged the ideas of the church and religion. Short Video -
Social Darwinism
Social Darwinists believe in "survival of the fittest". They use the theory of Natural Selection to justify racism, eugenics, social inequality and imperialism. They feel the explanation for why some people are able to achieve power are because they are "innately better". Later in history Adolf Hitler adopted these ideals and pushed to have a perfect Aryan race.
