Final answer:
The events in chronological order regarding our current concept of race are: Skin color and other physical traits were attributed to environmental factors, Sorting people into distinct races was a handy justification for colonialism, Darwin introduced the idea of evolution through the natural selection of inherited traits, and Darwin's theory was applied to social policy to judge some people 'fitter' than others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The events in chronological order regarding our current concept of race are:
- Skin color and other physical traits were attributed to environmental factors: This was the earliest development, where people associated differences in skin color and physical appearance to their environment.
- Sorting people into distinct races was a handy justification for colonialism: During the era of colonialism, racial categorization was used as a justification for the mistreatment and exploitation of certain groups.
- Darwin introduced the idea of evolution through the natural selection of inherited traits: Darwin's theory of evolution provided a scientific basis for understanding the diversity of traits among humans.
- Darwin's theory was applied to social policy, to judge some people 'fitter' than others: Social Darwinism emerged, applying evolutionary principles to justify social hierarchies and inequality.