Modern Concept of Race in The United States Discussion This is episode 2 of a 3-part series. It describes how the modern concept of “race” (in the United S

Modern Concept of Race in The United States Discussion This is episode 2 of a 3-part series. It describes how the modern concept of “race” (in the United States) developed.

Race is “an idea that is constructed by society . . . ” for what purpose?
When Robin Kelley asks (of Thomas Jefferson), “how can you promote liberty, freedom, and democracy on the one hand, and a system of slavery and exploitation of non-whites on the other hand?”. James Horton and Ira Berlin give what replies?
In 1619, by what measure(s) did American colonists define status?
What does James Horton imply is the initial reason why African slaves were an “ideal” free labor source than Native Americans or white European indentured servants?
According to George Fredrickson, how were “ordinary white people” complicit in the system of race-constructed slavery? How did poor whites gain or benefit? How does this establish race and relate Africans as being a different kind of people?
Native American Indians
a) How and for which reasons did Thomas Jefferson initially think Native Americans differed from “whites”?

b) According to Theda Perdue, what was the hidden agenda, and economic benefit, of “civilizing the Indians”
The Cherokee readily assimilated as “civilized” with a constitution, schools, and written language, but how was their compliance ultimately “rewarded” (by Andrew Jackson particularly)?

How were Mexicans “racially” identified during the Mexican-American War of 1838 by white Americans ?
The abolition of slavery occurred after the American concept of race was firmly established, how did that concept affect Abraham Lincoln’s “dilemma” of how to deal with the freed slaves when he consulted Louis Agassiz?
White Man’s Burden
a. According to Robert Rydell, how does “white supremacy” become a unifying principle? (that goes “international” with the outcome of the Spanish-American War and the U.S. acquiring the Philippines, Guam, Cuba, and Puerto Rico)

b. what was meant by the phrase “white man’s burden”?
•Consider how prestige influences who YOU admire. Describe the things you think are prestigious, then describe a person or people you admire because of one or many of those prestigious things. Finally, comment on what you or other have done or are willing to do FOR FREE for the prestigious person.

Race_The Story We Tell Video Guide.pdf