Racism

Racism, belief that some races are inherently superior to others. Racism in the early 19th century was an offshoot of nationalism, placing emphasis on the differences among cultures. Also, the study of human types revealed some physical differences among the races. Despite the theories of Carolus Linnaeus and J.F. Blumenbach, that environment rather than heredity molded intellectual development, many associated culture with race, assuming white superiority. Guided by thinkers like Joseph Arthur Gobineau (1816–82), the concept of “tribal nationalism” began to appear. It was used to justify imperialism, the imposition of colonial status on less technologically accomplished peoples, and finally the concept of the “master race” fostered by the Nazis. Horror at the mass exterminations before and during World War II, together with greater understanding through the social sciences, such as anthropology, discredited racism.

See also: Prejudice; Races, human; Segregation.