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Multiple Choice
What prompted Charles Darwin to publish his book 'On the Origin of Species' decades after he began writing it?
A
A request from the British government to explain species diversity
B
The independent development of a similar theory of natural selection by Alfred Russel Wallace
C
Pressure from religious authorities to disprove evolution
D
The discovery of Mendelian genetics
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the historical context: Charles Darwin began formulating his theory of natural selection in the 1830s but hesitated to publish it due to potential controversy and societal pressures, particularly from religious authorities.
Learn about Alfred Russel Wallace: In 1858, Wallace independently developed a similar theory of natural selection and sent his manuscript to Darwin for review, prompting Darwin to act.
Recognize the significance of Wallace's manuscript: Wallace's work was remarkably similar to Darwin's ideas, creating urgency for Darwin to publish his findings to establish priority and avoid losing credit for his decades of research.
Explore the collaborative presentation: Darwin and Wallace's ideas were jointly presented at the Linnean Society of London in 1858, which set the stage for Darwin to finalize and publish 'On the Origin of Species' in 1859.
Understand the impact of Darwin's publication: Darwin's book provided extensive evidence for natural selection and became a cornerstone of evolutionary biology, influencing scientific thought and sparking widespread debate.