24 MARXISM AND DARWINISM. 



widely read in England, it did not stir anybody; it 

 merely remained a scientific theory without great 

 practical importance. Darwin himself considered it 

 as such, and for fear that his theory might shock the 

 religious prejudices prevailing, he purposely avoided 

 applying it immediately to men. It was only after 

 numerous postponements and after others had done 

 it before him, that he decided to make this step. In a 

 letter to Haeckel he deplored the fact that his theory 

 must hit upon so many prejudices and so much indif- 

 ference that he did not expect to live long enough to 

 see it break through these obstacles. 



But in Germany things were entirely different, 

 and Haeckel correctly answered Darwin that in Ger- 

 many the Darwinian theory met with an enthusiastic 

 reception. It so happened that when Darwin's theory 

 made its appearance, the bourgeoisie was preparing 

 to carry on a new attack on absolutism and junkerism. 

 The liberal bourgeoisie was headed by the intellec- 

 tuals. Ernest Haeckel, a great scientist, and of still 

 greater daring, immediately drew in his book, "Nat- 

 ural Creation," most daring conclusions against re- 

 ligion. So, while Darwinism met with the most en- 

 thusiastic reception by the progressive bourgeoisie, 

 it was also bitterly opposed by the reactionists. 



The same struggle also took place in other Euro- 

 pean countries. Everywhere the progressive liberal 

 bourgeoisie had to struggle against reactionary pow- 

 ers. These reactionists possessed, or were trying to 

 obtain through religious followers, the power coveted. 

 Under these circumstances, even the scientific discus- 

 sions were carried on with the zeal and passion of a 

 class struggle. The writings that apeared pro and con 

 on Darwin have therefore the character of social 



