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AP European History
Unit 7: 19th-Century Perspectives and Political Developments (1815–1914)
7.4 Darwinism, Social Darwinism
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What is a central belief of Social Darwinism?
Group superiority
Social Darwinism was used to justify social inequalities and discriminatory
practices
Darwinism focuses on biological evolution, while
Social Darwinism
focuses on human society.
Social Darwinism suggests certain groups are inherently superior and more fit to
survive
Social Darwinism is based on the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection.
False
Match the principles with the corresponding theory:
Adaptation ↔️ Darwinism
Superiority ↔️ Social Darwinism
What is Social Darwinism used to justify in society?
Social inequalities and discrimination
Steps in the emergence of Social Darwinism
1️⃣ Darwinism is developed
2️⃣ Darwinian principles are misapplied to society
3️⃣ Herbert Spencer coins "survival of the fittest"
4️⃣ Social Darwinism is used to justify inequalities
Herbert Spencer is credited with coining the phrase "
survival
of the fittest".
Social Darwinism correctly applies Darwinian principles to human societies.
False
Match the key concepts with their descriptions:
Darwinism ↔️ Scientific theory of evolution
Social Darwinism ↔️ Misapplication of Darwinian principles
Social Darwinism is the misapplication of Darwinian principles to justify social
inequalities
What phrase did Herbert Spencer coin that is associated with Social Darwinism?
"Survival of the fittest"
Who coined the phrase "survival of the fittest"?
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer's
ideas were used to justify social inequalities.
Darwinism is the scientific theory of evolution through natural
selection
What is Social Darwinism often used to justify?
Social inequalities
Arrange the following concepts in order from general to specific related to Herbert Spencer's work
1️⃣ Darwinism
2️⃣ Social Darwinism
3️⃣ "Survival of the fittest"
Herbert Spencer's
ideas were used to support the notion that certain groups are inherently superior.
What is the primary focus of Darwinism?
Biological evolution
Social Darwinism was used to justify
colonialism
What is Darwinism defined as?
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution
Darwinism explains how species change over time through
natural
selection.
Darwin's
work revolutionized scientific understanding of biology.
What is a key example of Darwinism in action?
Finches with stronger beaks
Darwin's book outlining his theory of evolution is titled "On the Origin of
Species
."
Genetic variation is a fundamental concept in
Darwin's
theory.
Steps in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution
1️⃣ Genetic Variation
2️⃣ Environmental Pressure
3️⃣ Survival and Reproduction
4️⃣ Inheritance
5️⃣ Adaptation
What is the primary mechanism driving natural selection?
Survival and reproduction
"Survival of the fittest" means that organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and
reproduce
.
Darwinism emphasizes that all traits are equally beneficial in every environment.
False
What is the role of genetic variation in evolution?
Provides differences in traits
Steps in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution
1️⃣ Genetic Variation
2️⃣ Environmental Pressure
3️⃣ Survival and Reproduction
4️⃣ Inheritance
5️⃣ Adaptation
What trait allowed finches on the Galapagos Islands to survive during droughts?
Stronger beaks
Natural selection operates by favoring individuals with traits that enhance their survival and
reproduction
.
"Survival of the fittest" always refers to the strongest organisms in a population.
False
What is the core principle of Darwinism?
Natural selection
Social Darwinism misapplies Darwinian principles to justify social
inequalities
.
Match the concept with its definition:
Darwinism ↔️ Evolution through natural selection
Social Darwinism ↔️ Justification of social inequalities
What is natural selection?
Process favoring beneficial traits
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