Question

in your own words Explain how the invention of the modern concept of race in the 1600s benefitted the expansion of the institution of slavery in colonial America? How were people identified before race became a distinctive marker of someone's identity?  What was slavery in colonial America like before that era? Why is the invention of race in America connected to the story of labor, as one of the historians in the episode claims?

Answer 1

Answer: North America was the habitat of native American like Chico, Cahokia, Inca, Aztec Norte etc.

In the colonization era many settlers from many countries like English, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese French etc. Started settling in North America their culture and tradition influenced, transformed, and created a multicultural culture in North America.

Slaves from African and Asian countries came here for mining and gold rush also play a major role in shaping U.S culture. That is why the U.S is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.

The notion that “all men are created equal” that created a moral contradiction in colonial America.

Because it creates the contradiction in moral and ethical values there was racial and cultural discrimination, slavery and other prejudice in the society. White people or people of European lineage believed that they were superior from the people of other descent.

But the concept of race plays an important role in justifying discrimination.

According to it, only white people are men. Therefore, they are created equal but people of other descent like black, yellow, red, and brown are inferior. Hence, the phrase like, all men are created equal, not applicable to them.

This argument helps to give justification of the cruel acts like racial discrimination and violence.