Scientific Racism and its Impact on Racism, White Supremacy, Westward Expansion, and Imperialism

Scientific Racism and its Impact on Racism, White Supremacy, Westward Expansion, and Imperialism
Scientific racism, as explored in the video “Scientific Racism: The Eugenics of Social Darwinism,” had a significant impact on various aspects of American and European society during the periods covered in Chapters 16, 17, and 19 of David Shi’s America: The Essential Learning Edition. This reflection paper will address how scientific racism related to racism, white supremacy, Westward Expansion, and imperialism, the negative effects it had on different groups, the factors that led to these acts, and provide an overall interpretation of the video.

In Chapter 16, the video’s premise of scientific racism aligns with the mistreatment of Mexican Americans in relation to the railroads. On page 645, Shi highlights how Mexican Americans faced discrimination in both employment and wages due to their racial background. Scientific racism, with its belief in the superiority of certain races, justified the mistreatment of Mexican Americans by portraying them as inferior and unworthy of fair treatment in the industrial era.

Moving on to Chapter 17, the influence of scientific racism is evident in the disenfranchisement of African Americans through the Mississippi Plan of 1890 (page 682). The plan aimed to suppress African American voting rights through poll taxes, literacy tests, and other restrictive measures. The notion of racial superiority fueled by scientific racism provided a pretext for white supremacists to justify their actions and maintain political power over African Americans.

Additionally, scientific racism contributed to the spread of segregation (page 683) and the establishment of Jim Crow laws at the end of the 19th century (page 685). These discriminatory practices were based on the belief that different races should be kept separate, with white supremacy being the dominant ideology. Scientific racism provided a pseudo-scientific framework that legitimized these oppressive systems, perpetuating racial inequality and marginalizing African Americans.

In Chapter 19, scientific racism played a role in justifying imperialism. The video’s reference to imperialism aligns with Shi’s discussion of the influence of sea power on history (page 761). Scientific racism provided a rationale for Western powers to subjugate and exploit non-white populations in their quest for empire-building. The belief in racial hierarchies allowed imperialist nations to justify their actions as a civilizing mission, despite the extensive harm inflicted upon colonized peoples.

As a result of scientific racism, various groups were negatively affected. Mexican Americans faced discrimination and limited opportunities in employment and wages (Chapter 16, page 645). African Americans suffered from disenfranchisement (Chapter 17, page 682), segregation (page 683), and the establishment of Jim Crow laws (page 685). Colonized peoples across the globe experienced exploitation and oppression due to Western imperialism (Chapter 19, page 761).

The acts driven by scientific racism were motivated by a combination of economic interests, social hierarchies, and ideological beliefs. In the case of Mexican Americans and African Americans, discrimination was fueled by economic competition and racial prejudices. White supremacists sought to maintain their dominance and protect their economic advantages by suppressing minority groups. Imperialism, on the other hand, was driven by a desire for resources, power, and cultural dominance. Scientific racism provided a convenient justification for these acts, allowing those in power to maintain control and justify their actions.

Upon watching the video “Scientific Racism: The Eugenics of Social Darwinism,” my interpretation is that scientific racism had far-reaching consequences that perpetuated racial inequality and oppression. It exposed how pseudo-scientific theories were used to justify discriminatory practices and maintain power imbalances between different racial groups. The video effectively highlighted the dangerous intersection between racial prejudices and prevailing scientific theories during this period.

In conclusion, scientific racism had a significant impact on various aspects of American society covered in Chapters 16, 17, and 19. It related to racism, white supremacy, Westward Expansion, and imperialism by providing a pseudo-scientific justification for discriminatory practices and oppressive ideologies. Mexican Americans, African Americans, and colonized peoples suffered as a result of scientific racism. Economic interests, social hierarchies, and ideological beliefs drove these acts. The video shed light on the detrimental consequences of scientific racism and its role in perpetuating racial injustice throughout history.