How is Darwin's theory different to other theories

How is Darwin's theory of evolution different to the theories before him?

Any answers would be appreciated :)

Thanks!

Carolus Linnaeus: (1707-1787) the father of Taxonomy believed that creatures were permanent organisms incapable of change. Linnaeus only grouped organisms to display God's plan and was not an evolutionist.

Cuvier the Father of Paleontology: The study of fossils (paleontology) was developed by the French anatomist Georges Cuvier (1769-1832). Cuvier realized life's history was recorded in fossil-containing strata, and documented the succession of life of fossil species in the Paris Basin. He noted that there was a different set of species at each level of study. He realized that extinction was a common occurrence in the history of life. Cuvier was noted as an antievolutionist. He believed that each successive change in species was caused by a major catastrophe such as a major flood or drought. This kind of thinking was called Catastrophism. Cuvier explained the appearance of new species in strata that did not contain them before by immigration of the new species from other areas after the catastrophic event was over.

James Hutton and the Theory of Gradualism: In 1775 Hutton proposed that it was possible to explain the various land forms by looking at the geologic mechanisms currently operating in the world. Charles Lyell , a leading geologist of Darwin's time, expanded on Hutton's theory into the theory of uniformitarianism. In his theory , Lyell, stated that all geologic processes are uniform and have operated from the beginning of time. These processes are so uniform that they balance themselves out through time. The mountain building process will eventually be balanced out by the process of erosion. Darwin rejected this theory but was influenced by the ideas of an ancient earth and the lengthy process that could cause subtle changes.