1. I believe that Thomas Malthus had the most influence over Darwin’s development of his theory of natural selection. Malthus' work taught Darwin how the process of natural selection ultimately came together. In 1838, Charles Darwin read Malthus' essay titled “An Essay on the Principle of Population”, and was amazed by the theory created by Malthus of making sure resources were available in order to survive and reproduce. Although Malthus had originally tried to provide proof for control of the living, human population, Darwin was generally able to apply his own, unique observations to all living things, not just humans. Thomas Malthus' influence on Charles Darwin was definitely one of a positive manner because Darwin learned how to sustain life and ensure that there would be ongoing generations.
2. http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bios/Malthus.html
Thomas Robert Malthus made a largely significant contribution to the scientific community through his research and evidence made on population. His main contribution was his identification of the relation between resources/food supply and population. Malthus was best known for his theory of limiting the human population rather than growing a greater food supply. In his essay, "An Essay on the Principle of Population", Malthus proved that food supply grows slower than the human population does.
3. One of the main bullet points most directly affected by Thomas Malthus' work would be the one stating "resources are limited". Malthus believed that since resources were limited, it would be easier to lower the population rate by usage of contraceptives and late marriages, rather than producing labor-intensive crops and food products. Another bullet point, "what is preventing organisms from reproducing at their potential?", would also apply to Malthus. Malthus believed that it would be easier to prevent humans from reproducing than it would be to produce more food supply.
4. I believe that with Charles Darwin's knowledge and through the use of other scientists' findings and knowledge, Darwin would have been able to develop his theory on natural selection without Thomas Malthus. However, I do believe that it would have taken him longer without the help of Malthus, but I do not doubt that Darwin would have not figured it out on his own.
5. The attitude of the Church definitely did affect Darwin, most definitely because it prolonged the publication of his book, "On the Origin of Species". During Darwin's day of age, it was seen as very daring and negative to go against the Church's teachings on God's creations, which granted him the title of being unorthodox. The pressure of the Church's teachings ultimately led Darwin to not publish his writings and findings, but with the help of Alfred Wallace, Darwin published his work. Although there were a lot of negative views about Darwin's work from the Church, Darwin still published his theories and gained praise for it over the years.
