Charles Darwin Research Paper

Advances in Science and technology brought knowledge and inventions to the society. The 18th and 19th century witnessed “political , economic and military” dominance around the globe by European countries (Ede, 2012). It was an era where knowledge and research were applied to create products for the society. In the 18th century, Britain was dominant in the textile industry however, it relied on international sources for colors obtained from plants depended on environmental conditions for growth (Ede, 2012). But the invention of the product “dye” brought in a new resource that could be used in the textile productions and would be cost effective as the country can produce the elements for colors in textile itself. Further, the use of Chemical
process to create “artificial dye” brought the country economic growth in its Industrial field where more “engineers, chemists, builders and technicians” were required to perform the job of creating the dye (Ede, 2012). This further led to people seeing science as an area of employment and further studies (Ede, 2012). Apart from economic benefits the growth of technology and science also created products for military dominance such as machine gun or gun powder used in wars (Imperialism: Crash Course World History , 2012).
Charles Darwin was a naturalist who was born and brought up in elite society (Ede, 2012).
His main contribution to the field of science was his evolution theory often termed as “Darwin’s Theory” (Ede, 2012). His theory of “evolution by natural selection” stated the explanation for the existence and extinction of various species. His main points to support his claim of evolution were variations and adaptability (Ede, 2012). Darwin in his theory explained that different species had variations about their activities in nature and such variations may be beneficial or damaging to them (Ede, 2012). Plus, with changing environmental and geological conditions such as scare resources, lack of water, only some species were able to use their variations to adapt and survive to the new environment while others could not which led to their extinction (Ede, 2012). His theory is considered significant as it helped answer queried regarding species, evolution and adaptability (Ede, 2012). His theory was developed through observations and facts and analyzed the evolution process over periods of time (Ede, 2012). Further, the theory provided humans scientific knowledge and explanation about the evolution process rather than the traditionally discussed religious
explanation.
Social Darwinism is a theory that it was acceptable to control or have influence on certain aspects of nature in order to survive and progress (Ede, 2012).
It explained the concept of “survival to the fittest” to create a better society and could be obtained through Eugenics and imperialist process (Ede, 2012). The use of such processes where a particular race or state controlled and justified the right and wrong type of individuals for a society led to racism against the poor (Olusoga, 2007). This type of scientific racism was documented throughout the globe. Such as the killing of Tasmanian aboriginals by British settlers for land and resources, starving millions in the hard hit regions of India or treating slaves in Caribbean’s unfairly are all examples of vicious use of scientific racism, imperialism and Eugenic process (Olusoga, 2007). Further, with the superior society killing the aboriginals of a particular country led to many being extinct in the future. For example, the indigenous people in North America were almost destroyed by British settlers (Olusoga, 2007). . Imperialism was used so extensively across the globe that people presumed it to be a liberal process of creating a stronger race over the weaker ones (Olusoga, 2007). They believed in a society of people who looked and behaved liked them (Olusoga, 2007). And to achieve that they were willing to go to any extend. Such as analyzing individuals blood line to discover a mixed race hierarchy and use that as a
reason to exterminate them. The main focus throughout this process and as to why it was done; was to completely wipe out the genetics of such weaker people from the society and erase their race from humanity (Olusoga, 2007). And as per their beliefs this would make an improved society for individuals.