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Charles Sets Sail on HMS Beagle
At 22 years old, Darwin is hired as a naturalist to join a voyage that departs from Plymouth, England (NGS, 2019). -
Interaction with "untamed" humans
Darwin arrives in Tierra Del Fuego where he has his first interaction with native inhabitants. He wrote, "I could not have believed the how wide was the difference between savage and civilized man; it is greater than between a wild and domesticated animal, inasmuch as in man there is greater power of improvement." (Russel, 2017). -
Unplanned visit to The Cape de Verds
After a failed attempt to explore the Canary Islands, Darwin arrives on The Cape de Verds where his discoveries begin. They spent 21 days observing the sandy land, volcanic grounds, tropical fruit and discovery of Baobao Tree. He also found the Babao tree was a home to a rare endemic bird called the Cape Verde Swamp-warbler (PLC, 2019). -
Creation of Darwin's Theory
Darwin returns from his voyage and starts to reflect on all the notes of his observation made throughout his journey. He starts to develop his theory on evolution. The theory had five components:
1. Variation in every population
2. Competition amongst organisms for limited resources
3. Offspring that produced more than what can survive
4. Genetics are passed down to their offspring
5. Natural selection- the organisms with the most beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce -
Publication on the Origin of Species
Darwin publishes the Origin of Species which goes into depth of natural selection. He describes it to be the process where populations of living organisms adapt and change. Those that are better suited for the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. The adaptive traits are then passed down to their offspring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfsUz2O2jww