Changes

'''Evolution'''

'''Evolution'''

Another Englishman, Charles Darwin (1809-1882), developed the theory of evolution.  Darwin’s own family considered him to be a disgrace before he devised his theory.  His father wanted him to become a doctor (Charles failed at that).  Then his father sought for Charles to become an Anglican parson (pastor), but Darwin abandoned Christianity.  He was unable to earn a degree in science and he struggled in scientific subjects such as physics (and math).  But after collecting some plant and animal specimens on a voyage (on the ''H.M.S. Beagle'' ship) around the world, in 1859 Darwin published a radical book entitled ''On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life''.  It proposed that species had evolved into complex forms of life over millions of years through “natural selection.”  Darwin never found any transitional forms (fossils reflecting evolution between species), and he said his theory would fail if no transitional forms were found.  None were ever found.   

An Englishman, Charles Darwin (1809-1882), developed the theory of evolution.  Darwin’s own family considered him to be a disgrace before he devised his theory.  His father wanted him to become a doctor (Charles failed at that).  Then his father sought for Charles to become an Anglican parson (pastor), but Darwin abandoned Christianity.  He was unable to earn a degree in science and he struggled in scientific subjects such as physics (and math).  But after collecting some plant and animal specimens on a voyage (on the ''H.M.S. Beagle'' ship) around the world, in 1859 Darwin published a radical book entitled ''On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life''.  It proposed that species had evolved into complex forms of life over millions of years through “natural selection.”  Darwin never found any transitional forms (fossils reflecting evolution between species), and he said his theory would fail if no transitional forms were found.  None has ever been found.   

The greatest scientists and mathematicians, from Louis Pasteur to Bernhard Riemann, viewed Darwin’s theory as absurd.  The French described Darwin’s theory as “a fairy tale for grown-ups.”  Darwin’s explanation for an evolution of the whale (a mammal) was that it somehow came from black bears swimming with their mouths open. Darwin’s theory conflicts with the Flood, with the fact that all mutations are harmful, with the fact that species have been going extinct rather than being generated, and with the fact that everything tends to become more disordered and scattered over time.  Darwin’s theory is based only on functionality, without any recognition of artistic design in the world like beautiful autumn foliage.

The greatest scientists and mathematicians, from Louis Pasteur to Bernhard Riemann, viewed Darwin’s theory as absurd.  The French described Darwin’s theory as “a fairy tale for grown-ups.”  Darwin’s explanation for an evolution of the whale (a mammal) was that it somehow came from black bears swimming with their mouths open! Darwin’s theory conflicts with the Flood, with the fact that all mutations are harmful, with the fact that species have been going extinct rather than being generated, and with the fact that everything tends to become more disordered and scattered over time.  Darwin’s theory is based only on functionality, without any recognition of artistic design in the world, as displayed by colorful autumn foliage and many other beautiful aspects of nature.

Fraud and political motivations helped promote the theory of evolution in the early 1900s.  The Piltdown Man was a fake fossil combination that was falsely taught in public schools for 40 years as the "missing link" between man and apes.  England promoted the theory of evolution because Darwin was English, and is even buried next to Isaac Newton.  Germany also promoted the theory until the Darwinists engaged in racial cleansing and experimentation to “perfect” the Aryan race under Adolf Hitler.

But fraud and politics helped promote the theory of evolution in the early 1900s.  The Piltdown Man was a fake fossil combination that was falsely taught in public schools for 40 years as the "missing link" between man and apes.  England promoted the theory of evolution because Darwin was English, and is even buried next to Isaac Newton.  Germany also promoted the theory, and the Darwinists engaged in racial cleansing and experimentation to “perfect” the Aryan race under Adolf Hitler.

The link between Darwinism, atheism and politics grew strong in the late 1800s.  Beginning in 1887, social scientists were using the term “social Darwinism” to apply a barbaric survival-of-the-fittest theory to social situations.  Under this theory, the wealthiest or most powerful in society must be biologically superior, and less “fit” persons should die or simply be killed like weak animals.  Soon many began to view racial struggles, and war itself, as a perfectly natural form of survival-of-the-fittest in the human race.  The horrific wars of the 20th century, employing shockingly brutal tactics, were encouraged by a belief in survival-of-the-fittest among humans.

The link between Darwinism, atheism and politics grew strong in the late 1800s.  Beginning in 1887, social scientists were using the term “social Darwinism” to apply a barbaric survival-of-the-fittest theory to social situations.  Under this theory, the wealthiest or most powerful in society must be biologically superior, and less “fit” persons should die or simply be killed like weak animals.  Soon many began to view racial struggles, and war itself, as a perfectly natural form of survival-of-the-fittest in the human race.  The horrific wars of the 20th century, employing shockingly brutal tactics, were encouraged by a belief in survival-of-the-fittest among humans.

England was the strongest nation in the world at the time of Darwin, but its embrace of evolution, atheism and socialism weakened it dramatically.  The United States, where most reject Darwinism, rose from being a relatively weak country at the time of Darwin to becoming by far the strongest nation today.

England was the strongest nation in the world at the time of Darwin, but its embrace of evolution, atheism and socialism weakened it dramatically.  The United States, where most reject Darwinism, rose from being a relatively weak country at the time of Darwin to becoming by far the strongest nation in the world today.

'''Social Reform'''

'''Social Reform'''

Labor unions arose in the late 1800s, as John Stuart Mill suggested, in order to combat a perceived exploitation of workers.  “Collective bargaining” between workers (the “collective” side) and their opponents, the owners, became popular and continues to exist today.  Collective bargaining usually works like this:  the workers demand a raise in their salaries, or the workers will go on strike.  Collective bargaining by auto workers in Detroit, demanding higher wages, had a crippling effect on the auto industry.

Labor unions arose in the late 1800s, as John Stuart Mill suggested, in order to combat a perceived exploitation of workers.  “Collective bargaining” between workers (the “collective” side) and their opponents, the owners, became popular and continues to exist today.  Collective bargaining usually works like this:  the workers demand a raise in their salaries, or the workers will go on strike.  Collective bargaining by auto workers in Detroit in the 1970s and 1980s, demanding higher wages, had a crippling effect on the American auto industry.

The abolition movement, which was motivated mostly by Christianity, wiped out slavery and slave trade in much of the world by 1888.   

The abolition movement, which was motivated mostly by Christianity, wiped out slavery and slave trade in much of the world by 1888.   

Other social reforms in the late 1800s included “free” public education in Western Europe, Japan and the United States (some might dispute the claim that public schools qualify as a “reform”); rehabilitation for prisoners; and child labor laws to control working conditions for children.   

Other social reforms in the late 1800s included “free” public education in Western Europe, Japan and the United States (it is doubtful that public schools qualify as a “reform”); rehabilitation for prisoners; and child labor laws to control working conditions for children.   

In 1848, women suffragettes (supporters of the right to vote for women) met in Seneca Falls, New York, where they issued their own version of the Declaration of Independence called the “Declaration of Sentiments.”  Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott of the United States and the British Emmeline Pankhurst protested for suffrage.  Britain and the United States gave the right to vote to all women shortly after World War I.

In 1848, women suffragettes (supporters of the right to vote for women) met in Seneca Falls, New York, where they issued their own version of the Declaration of Independence called the “Declaration of Sentiments.”  Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott of the United States and the British Emmeline Pankhurst protested for suffrage.  Britain and the United States gave the right to vote to all women shortly after World War I.

'''Home Rule'''

'''Home Rule'''

The industrial revolution led to the growth of cities, which in turn led to demands for greater amounts of democracy or “suffrage” (rights to vote).  In England the right to vote was limited to those who owned property until Parliament reduced these restrictions with the Reform Bill of 1832.  That reform also eliminated “rotten boroughs,” in which relatively few residents had the power to elect a representative with the same vote as much bigger districts.  The British Parliament then redistricted the cities to reflect their growing populations.

The industrial revolution led to the growth of cities, which in turn led to demands for greater amounts of democracy or “suffrage” (rights to vote).  In England the right to vote was limited to those who owned property until Parliament reduced these restrictions with the Reform Bill of 1832.  That reform also eliminated “rotten boroughs,” in which relatively few residents had the power to elect a representative having the same vote as representatives of much bigger districts.  The British Parliament then redistricted the cities to reflect their growing populations.

By 1838 the Chartist movement demanded that Parliament extend suffrage to all men based on the secret ballot.  The Chartist movement also sought annual elections for Parliament, salaries for its members (so that the middle class could afford to serve), and the elimination of property requirements as a condition for belonging to Parliament.  But Parliament did not enact these reforms until 1900.

By 1838 the Chartist movement demanded that Parliament extend suffrage to all men, with use of the secret ballot.  The Chartist movement also sought annual elections for Parliament, salaries for its members (so that the middle class could afford to serve), and the elimination of property requirements as a condition for belonging to Parliament.  But Parliament did not enact these reforms until 1900.

Gradually the power of the monarchy in England was reduced to that of a figurehead, which is all it is today.  The power of the British Parliament increased, and much of that power went to the elected lower house (the House of Commons) rather than the upper, unelected House of Lords.

Gradually the power of the monarchy in England was reduced to that of a figurehead, which is all it is today.  The power of the British Parliament increased, and much of that power went to the elected lower house (the House of Commons) rather than to the upper, unelected House of Lords.

In what is Ireland today, the great potato famine of the 1840s killed many and caused massive immigration to the United States.  The Irish did not obtain any substantial level of self-government until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.  Many in Ireland and many Americans of Irish descent blame British leaders for allowing that horrific potato famine to happen, and without home rule there was little the Irish people could do to stop it.

In what is Ireland today, the great potato famine of the 1840s killed many and caused massive immigration to the United States.  The Irish did not obtain any substantial level of self-government until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.  Many in Ireland and many Americans of Irish descent blame British leaders for allowing that horrific potato famine to happen, and without home rule (self-government) there was little the Irish people could do to stop it.

Canada achieved effective independence (as a Dominion within the British Empire) in 1867, but still remained within the British empire (Newfoundland remained a British territory and did not join Canada until 1949).  Australia, which was originally settled by prisoners from England, did not obtain home rule for its separate colonies until the 1850s; it obtained independence as a united Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.  New Zealand also won home rule in the 1850s and Dominion status (effective independence) in 1907.   

Canada achieved effective independence (as a Dominion within the British Empire) in 1867, but remained within the British empire (Newfoundland was a British territory and did not join Canada until 1949).  Australia, which was originally settled by prisoners from England, did not obtain home rule for its separate colonies until the 1850s; it obtained independence as a united Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.  New Zealand also won home rule in the 1850s and Dominion status (effective independence) in 1907.   

In France, its Third Republic ruled from 1870 until the German Occupation in 1940.

In France, its Third Republic ruled from 1870 until the German Occupation in 1940.