The concept of race has been around since antiquity, but it wasn’t until the 19th and 20th centuries that race became a major part of how people understood their identity and the world around them. This article will look at how ideas of race evolved between these two centuries, and the impact they had on society.
19th Century Ideas of Race
In the 19th century, ideas of race were heavily influenced by scientific thought. The science of the day argued that races were biologically distinct, with some races being superior to others. This idea was used to justify and legitimize the oppression of certain racial groups. It also led to the development of racial hierarchies, with some races being seen as more valuable than others.
At the same time, the 19th century also saw the development of new theories about race. For example, the “one-drop rule” was developed in the United States, which argued that any person with even a single drop of non-white blood was considered to be non-white. This rule was used to further marginalize already oppressed racial groups, and it continued to be enforced until the mid-20th century.
20th Century Ideas of Race
In the 20th century, ideas of race became more nuanced and complex. This was due in part to the emergence of new scientific theories, such as genetics, which challenged the notion that races were biologically distinct. It also saw the growth of social movements, such as the civil rights movement, which sought to challenge and dismantle existing racial hierarchies.
At the same time, the 20th century also saw the emergence of new racial ideologies, such as eugenics, which argued for the improvement of the human race through selective breeding. This ideology was used to further marginalize certain racial groups, and it was used to justify the forced sterilization of certain racial groups.
The 20th century also saw the emergence of new theories about race, such as critical race theory, which argued that race was a social construct and not a biological reality. This theory challenged the existing racial hierarchies and argued for a more equitable and just society.
In conclusion, the 19th and 20th centuries saw a shift in how people understood race. In the 19th century, race was seen as biologically distinct, with some races being superior to others. In the 20th century, however, new theories emerged which challenged this notion and argued for a more equitable society. These ideas continue to shape our understanding of race today.
