Darwinism, Social Darwinism - AP European History
- What is the relationship between variation and natural selection?
- Variation provides material for selection. Without variation, natural selection would have no differences to act upon.
- Name a major publication by Charles Darwin.
- 'On the Origin of Species'. Groundbreaking work that established the scientific basis for evolution.
- What did Social Darwinists believe about human competition?
- It leads to societal improvement. Believed competitive struggle naturally eliminated weakness from society.
- Which economic system is often justified by Social Darwinism?
- Laissez-faire capitalism. Free-market system justified by claiming competition benefits society.
- What was Darwin's contribution to the understanding of human origins?
- Humans evolved from common ancestors with apes. Demonstrated human evolution from shared ancestry rather than special creation.
- Identify a key difference between Darwinism and Social Darwinism.
- Darwinism is biological; Social Darwinism is sociopolitical. Darwin studied species; Social Darwinism misapplied this to human society.
- What is the ultimate result of natural selection over generations?
- Evolution of species. Accumulated small changes lead to new species formation over time.
- Name a societal effect of Social Darwinism in the late 19th century.
- Imperialism. Justified colonial domination as 'superior' nations conquering 'inferior' ones.
- How did Darwinism influence the scientific community?
- It provided a unifying theory for the life sciences. Explained biological diversity and connected all living organisms through common descent.
- What effect did Darwin's theory have on religion during his time?
- Challenged literal interpretations of creation. Contradicted religious doctrine of humans as specially created beings.
- What is a criticism of Social Darwinism?
- It promotes racism and inequality. Misused scientific theory to justify discrimination and social hierarchies.
- Which scientific concept did Social Darwinists believe justified laissez-faire economics?
- Survival of the fittest. Misused to argue against government regulation of business practices.
- Who is the author of 'On the Origin of Species'?
- Charles Darwin. British naturalist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.
- Which area did Darwin's theory of natural selection challenge?
- Creationist views. Conflicted with biblical accounts of divine creation and fixed species.
- How did Social Darwinism affect race relations?
- Promoted racial hierarchies. Falsely claimed scientific support for white supremacy and racial rankings.
- In what year was 'On the Origin of Species' published?
- 1859. This publication introduced Darwin's theory of evolution to the world.
- What is the main idea of Social Darwinism?
- Application of natural selection to human societies. Misapplied Darwin's biological theory to justify social and economic inequalities.
- What controversial application did Social Darwinism support in the 19th century?
- Eugenics. Pseudoscientific movement promoting selective human breeding programs.
- What social policy did Social Darwinism influence in Europe?
- Colonial expansion. Justified European imperialism as civilized nations improving primitive societies.
- What is the fundamental principle of Darwin's theory of natural selection?
- Survival of the fittest. Organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully.
- Which term refers to the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive?
- Natural selection. Mechanism where environmental pressures favor certain advantageous traits.
- What does natural selection act upon?
- Variations in traits. Individual differences that provide raw material for evolutionary change.
- What concept suggests that species evolve over time due to natural selection?
- Evolution. The gradual change in species over time through natural selection.
- Which ideology uses the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to justify social hierarchy?
- Social Darwinism. Misapplied evolutionary concepts to defend existing social inequalities.
- What is the primary mechanism by which evolution occurs, according to Darwin?
- Natural selection. The driving force behind evolutionary change in all species.
- What is the implication of Social Darwinism for social policy?
- Justification for inequality. Used to argue against helping the poor or disadvantaged groups.
- What is the role of 'fitness' in natural selection?
- Fitness determines survival and reproduction. Reproductive success depends on how well organisms match their environment.
- What term refers to the belief that human societies evolve through competition?
- Social Darwinism. Ideology that applied evolutionary principles to human social structures.
- What principle is often mistakenly attributed to Darwin but coined by Spencer?
- Survival of the fittest. Spencer's phrase became wrongly associated with Darwin's natural selection theory.
- What concept did Social Darwinism erroneously promote as scientific?
- Racial superiority. Falsely used evolution to justify racism and ethnic discrimination.
- Identify one misuse of Darwin's ideas in social theories.
- Justification of colonialism. Using evolutionary theory to support European expansion and racial domination.
- What was a societal impact of Social Darwinism in the United States?
- Justification of economic inequality. Used to argue wealth gaps reflected natural superiority and inferiority.
- Which phrase did Herbert Spencer coin to describe Darwin's concept?
- Survival of the fittest. Spencer popularized this interpretation of Darwin's natural selection mechanism.
- How does Social Darwinism interpret social progress?
- Through competition and selection. Believed societal advancement occurs through competitive struggle and elimination.