Final answer:
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution faced significant criticism upon publication, particularly from religious individuals who found it conflicted with creationist beliefs. Despite the backlash, scientific acceptance grew, especially after Darwin compiled compelling evidence and the consequent understanding of genetics bolstered his theories. Over time, Darwin's work became foundational in biological science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was met with considerable skepticism and controversy after its publication. Darwin anticipated the backlash, especially from those with strong religious beliefs who found evolution to conflict with the concept of creationism. Interestingly, Darwin postponed publishing his work for a long time, foreseeing the challenges and criticisms it would face.
Although he received criticism from various religious and social circles, Darwin was not deterred.
He was encouraged by the supportive scientific community—particularly after Alfred Russel Wallace came to similar conclusions independently—which led him to publish 'On the Origin of Species.' Darwin's theory, which included the idea of natural selection, contradicted the then-prevailing beliefs of a static creation and young Earth, suggesting instead that species evolve over time through random adaptations.
Despite the immediate backlash, evolutionARY THEORY gradually gained acceptance within the scientific community, as Darwin had compiled a robust body of evidence supporting it. Darwin systematically explained the existence of fossils and biological adaptation, with the understanding of genetics later reinforcing his ideas.
By the 1870s, a significant proportion of British scientists accepted evolution as accurate, and Darwin's subsequent work, 'The Descent of Man,' explicitly connected human evolution with his earlier theories, further solidifying his legacy in biological science.