HSY2601
Assignment 2
Semester 2 2024
Unique No: 701831
DUE 26 August 2024
, Historical Grounds for the Rise of Racist Beliefs in the 19th Century
The rise of racist beliefs in the 19th century was influenced by several historical
factors, including pseudo-scientific theories, colonial expansion, and changing social
and political dynamics. These factors contributed to the institutionalization of racism
and its widespread acceptance in various aspects of society.
1. Scientific Racism
One of the primary grounds for the rise of racist beliefs was the development of
scientific racism. This pseudoscience aimed to provide a biological basis for racial
differences and hierarchies, reinforcing and justifying racial discrimination.
▪ Phrenology and Craniometry: Phrenology, popularized by Franz
Joseph Gall, posited that the shape and size of the skull could
determine a person’s intelligence and character traits. Craniometry,
which involved measuring skulls to compare different racial groups,
was used to argue that certain races were inherently superior due to
larger brain capacities. These theories were used to legitimize the
notion of racial superiority and inferiority (Banton, 1987).
▪ Darwinian Evolution Misinterpretations: Charles Darwin's theory of
evolution by natural selection was often misinterpreted to support racial
hierarchies. Some scholars applied Darwinian concepts like "survival of
the fittest" to human races, erroneously suggesting that European
races were more advanced and thus had the right to dominate others
(Stocking, 1968).
2. Colonial and Imperialistic Expansion
The 19th century was marked by significant colonial and imperialistic expansion,
which played a crucial role in the rise and spread of racist beliefs.
The Scramble for Africa: The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 marked the
formalization of the partitioning of Africa among European powers. The ideology of
racial superiority was used to justify the colonization and exploitation of African
peoples. Europeans framed their colonizing efforts as a “civilizing mission,” claiming
that they were bringing progress to supposedly “savage” societies (Pakenham,
1991).
Colonial Literature and Ethnography: Literature and ethnographic studies from the
colonial period often depicted non-European peoples as primitive and inferior. Works
like Rudyard Kipling’s “The White Man’s Burden” reinforced stereotypes of racial
superiority and justified imperial domination. This literature helped perpetuate racist
