Discrimination and Racism

Definition

Discrimination refers to the unjust treatment of individuals based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or religion, while racism specifically involves prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against individuals of different races based on the belief that one’s own race is superior. In the context of the Imperial Age, these concepts were used to justify colonial practices and the subjugation of various peoples across the globe.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During the Imperial Age, European powers often employed racial theories to legitimize their colonial rule over non-European peoples, portraying them as 'civilizing missions'.
2. Racism was institutionalized in many colonial systems, leading to legal and social inequalities that marginalized indigenous populations.
3. The idea of racial hierarchies led to policies that stripped colonized peoples of their rights, culture, and autonomy.
4. Discrimination based on race not only shaped colonial policies but also influenced global attitudes towards race that persist today.
5. Resistance movements in colonized nations often emerged as responses to both discrimination and racism, advocating for rights and equality against oppressive regimes.

Review Questions

• How did discrimination and racism influence European colonial policies during the Imperial Age?
  • Discrimination and racism were central to European colonial policies, which portrayed colonized peoples as inferior and in need of European 'civilization'. This mindset justified harsh treatment and exploitation of these populations under the guise of moral responsibility. Consequently, discriminatory laws were enacted that institutionalized inequality, impacting social structures and relationships in colonized regions.
• Evaluate how concepts like Social Darwinism contributed to the development of racist ideologies during the Imperial Age.
  • Social Darwinism played a significant role in shaping racist ideologies during the Imperial Age by promoting the idea that certain races were inherently superior to others. This pseudo-scientific belief was used to rationalize imperial expansion and justify discriminatory practices against indigenous populations. It reinforced stereotypes that deemed colonized peoples as 'less evolved', legitimizing their subjugation and exploitation in the name of progress.
• Assess the long-term impacts of discrimination and racism from the Imperial Age on modern global relations.
  • The long-term impacts of discrimination and racism from the Imperial Age are evident in ongoing global relations characterized by inequality and social tensions. Many nations continue to grapple with the legacy of colonialism, including systemic racism embedded within institutions. The historical narratives constructed during this time still influence contemporary debates about race, identity, and power dynamics worldwide, leading to movements advocating for social justice and equality across different societies.

Related terms

Colonialism:

A practice where a country establishes control over a foreign territory, often exploiting its resources and people for economic gain.

Ethnocentrism: The belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture, often leading to a disregard for other cultures.

Social Darwinism:

A theory that applied the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to human societies, often used to justify imperialist expansion and racial superiority.