Week 1 - Origin of Racism in the U.S. Flashcards
Why did slavery exist in the western hemisphere and the English colonies?
Slavery provided the necessary labor force for the labor-intensive agricultural economy.
Why was it natural to use African people as slaves?
Africans were unfamiliar with the land, making escape difficult, and racial prejudices dehumanized them.
What does “drawing the color line,” mean?
Creating a clear social and legal distinction between races, establishing racial hierarchy and segregation.
How was the “color line” drawn in the English colonies?
Through laws and practices that gave whites privileges and enforced harsh control over blacks.
What was the difference in social status of an enslaved person and an indentured servant?
Enslaved persons were bound for life and considered property; indentured servants worked for a set period before gaining freedom.
How was religion used to justify slavery?
Religion argued that slavery was divinely sanctioned and that Africans were naturally suited to be slaves.
What was the original definition of race?
A group of people connected by common descent or origin.
When did a shift occur from the original definition to the current use of the term?
In the 17th and 18th centuries, with European colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade.
What is the difference between the terms “race” and “racism”?
“Race” categorizes people based on physical traits; “racism” is the belief in the superiority of one race over others and systemic oppression based on that belief.
