Question 1

What do you think has been the ongoing historical influence of the rise of merchant capitalism in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

Accepted Answer

The rise of merchant capitalism in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries had a significant and ongoing historical influence on the country and beyond. This period saw the emergence of a new economic system based on trade, investment, and the accumulation of wealth, which had a profound impact on the development of England as a global economic power.

One of the most significant influences of merchant capitalism was the transformation of England's economy from a predominantly agrarian society to one driven by commerce and industry. This shift led to the growth of urban centers, the expansion of trade networks, and the development of new industries, laying the foundation for the Industrial Revolution in the following centuries.

The rise of merchant capitalism also had a profound impact on the political and social structure of England. The wealth and influence amassed by merchant capitalists challenged the traditional power of the aristocracy and monarchy, leading to shifts in political power and the eventual rise of parliamentary democracy. Additionally, the growth of a merchant class created new opportunities for social mobility and the accumulation of wealth, leading to changes in social hierarchies and the emergence of a more fluid class system.

Furthermore, the influence of merchant capitalism extended beyond England, as the country became a dominant force in global trade and colonial expansion. The wealth generated by merchant capitalists fueled England's imperial ambitions, leading to the establishment of colonies and trading posts around the world, which in turn had a lasting impact on global economic and political systems.

In conclusion, the rise of merchant capitalism in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries had a far-reaching and ongoing historical influence, shaping the country's economy, politics, and global influence for centuries to come.

Question 2

In what ways can we see the legacy of the possessive individualism of seventeenth-century England in the current economic system in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The legacy of possessive individualism from seventeenth-century England can be seen in the current economic system in the United States in several ways.

First, the emphasis on individual rights and property ownership that emerged during this time period has influenced the development of capitalism in the United States. The idea that individuals have the right to accumulate and own private property has shaped the economic system, leading to a focus on free market principles and the protection of private property rights.

Additionally, the legacy of possessive individualism can be seen in the unequal distribution of wealth and resources in the United States. The emphasis on individual accumulation of wealth has led to a system where a small percentage of the population holds a disproportionate amount of wealth and power, while many others struggle to make ends meet.

Furthermore, the idea of possessive individualism has also influenced the cultural and social attitudes towards success and achievement in the United States. The emphasis on individualism and self-reliance has led to a culture that values personal success and achievement, often at the expense of collective well-being and social equality.

Overall, the legacy of possessive individualism from seventeenth-century England has left a lasting impact on the current economic system in the United States, shaping attitudes towards property ownership, wealth distribution, and individual success.

Question 3

The term "savage" has been applied to different groups of people at various points in history. How does this term connect to issues of power and identity? What other contemporary terms or worldviews can you think of that invoke the same principle implied in the term "savage?"

Accepted Answer

The term "savage" has a long history of being used to describe indigenous or non-Western peoples in a derogatory manner. This term has often been used by colonial powers to justify their domination and exploitation of these groups. By labeling them as "savage," it was easier for colonizers to dehumanize and subjugate these populations, as it reinforced the idea that they were inferior and in need of civilization.

The term "savage" is deeply connected to issues of power and identity. It reflects the power dynamics at play in colonial and imperialist systems, where the dominant group seeks to assert its superiority over others. It also speaks to the construction of identity, as the label of "savage" is used to define and categorize certain groups as "other" or outside of the norm.

In contemporary times, similar principles are invoked in terms such as "barbaric," "uncivilized," or "primitive." These terms are often used to marginalize and oppress certain groups, reinforcing power imbalances and perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Additionally, worldviews that invoke similar principles include ethnocentrism, cultural imperialism, and orientalism, all of which serve to uphold the dominance of certain cultures and marginalize others.

Overall, the use of the term "savage" and its contemporary counterparts reflects the ongoing struggle for power and the construction of identity, and serves as a reminder of the need to challenge and dismantle these harmful narratives.

Question 4

Feagin discusses the "slavery-centered economic complex" in which a large number of whites in all the colonies worked in occupations that were either linked directly or indirectly to the slavery system, thus benefitting economically in one way or the other. What is an example of a contemporary version of this complex? How does U.S. society still engage in these systems of inequality?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Feagin discusses the "slavery-centered economic complex" in...

Question 5

As Dikötter states, "racist belief systems, like all belief systems, are always linked up with issues of power and prestige." Think of an example of another belief system and describe how it is connected to power and prestige. What are the alternatives to this belief system?

Accepted Answer

The answer of As Dikötter states, "racist belief systems, like...

Question 6

The rise of merchant capitalism in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries fostered values of individualism, absolute private property, and the unrestrained accumulation of wealth. Do you think it's possible to have a capitalist economic system that does not embrace these values? What would that look like?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The rise of merchant capitalism in England...

Question 7

Smelding and Smelding state that "English ideologies about individualism and accumulation of property guided their assault on foreign lands and their treatment of the indigenous peoples of the New World." Give some examples of what the authors mean by this statement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Smelding and Smelding state that "English ideologies...

Question 8

Describe the differences between English and Irish cultural values about land and property. How did these differences create conflict? Can you think of a contemporary example of differences in cultural values creating conflict between groups of people?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the differences between English and Irish...

Question 9

Share an example of a time that you observed the process of "frame assumption" in conversations with classmates, family, peers, or strangers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Share an example of a time that...

Question 10

Dikötter describes three common explanations of the global dimensions of racism. Briefly describe and provide one contemporary example of each of these. What is lacking in these explanations?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dikötter describes three common explanations of the...

Question 11

Which of the following was NOT one of the economic changes that took place in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
A) Rise of free wage labor
B) Decline of free wage labor
C) Separation of labor from the land
D) Transformation of land and labor into commodities

Accepted Answer

The economic changes in England during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries included the rise of free wage labor, separation of labor from the land, and the transformation of land and labor into commodities. The decline of free wage labor did not occur during this period; instead, there was an increase in free wage labor due to the enclosure movement and the growth of market-oriented agriculture and industry.

Question 12

Which term best describes the attitude and relationship between the English and the Irish during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
A) Assimilation
B) Respect
C) Ethnocentrism
D) Mutuality

Accepted Answer

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the relationship between the English and the Irish was characterized by ethnocentrism. The English viewed their own culture as superior and sought to impose their customs, laws, and control over the Irish, leading to conflict and resentment.

Question 13

What does the term "pater" mean?
A) A social father
B) A biological father
C) A social mother
D) A biological mother

Accepted Answer

Pater is the Latin word for "father".

Question 14

When did the global theft of Native American and African labor by state-sanctioned capitalistic enterprises end?
A) After the first century of European wealth generation
B) After slavery in the United States ended
C) It never started.
D) It hasn't ended-it continues into the present day.

Accepted Answer

The exploitation of Native American and African labor by state-sanctioned capitalistic enterprises has not ended and continues into the present day, manifesting in various forms of economic and social inequality.

Question 15

Feagin critiques Marxist analysts and other critical analysts for ignoring or downplaying which of the following aspects of European colonialization?
A) Economic
B) Racist
C) Moral
D) Political

Accepted Answer

Feagin critiques Marxist and other critical analysts for overlooking or minimizing the racist aspects of European colonization, arguing that racism played a significant role in these historical processes alongside economic and political factors.

Question 16

The ethic that it is the right and duty of whites to expand wherever they needed to increase their prosperity, no matter the cost to those killed, displaced, or exploited in the process, is called
A) Manifest destiny
B) Manifest ownership
C) Latent destiny
D) Latent ownership

Accepted Answer

Manifest Destiny is the 19th-century doctrine or belief that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable. It was often used to justify the displacement of Native Americans and other groups.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT one of the components of racial capital?
A) Economic capital
B) Equal opportunity
C) Social status
D) Social networking

Accepted Answer

Racial capital typically refers to the resources and advantages a person has based on their race, which can include economic capital, social status, and social networking. Equal opportunity is not considered a component of racial capital; instead, it is a principle aimed at ensuring fair treatment and access to opportunities for all, regardless of race.

Question 18

Shared assumptions, understandings, and inclinations produce
A) Symbolic capital
B) Economic capital
C) Human capital
D) Social mobility

Accepted Answer

Symbolic capital refers to the resources available to an individual or group based on honor, prestige, or recognition, which can be derived from shared assumptions, understandings, and inclinations within a social context.

Question 19

At the time of the writing of the U.S. Constitution, what percentage of the population was enslaved?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 20%
D) 50%

Accepted Answer

At the time the U.S. Constitution was written in 1787, approximately 20% of the population in the thirteen colonies was enslaved. This significant portion of the population was primarily concentrated in the southern colonies, where slavery played a crucial role in the agricultural economy.

Question 20

Which Supreme Court case resulted in a ruling that black Americans were "beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race"?
A) Brown v. Board of Education
B) Roe v. Wade
C) Dred Scott v. Sandford
D) Plessy v. Ferguson

Accepted Answer

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) is the case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be American citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court. The Court also ruled that the federal government had no power to regulate slavery in the federal territories acquired after the creation of the United States. This decision included the statement that black people were considered inferior and unfit to associate with the white race.

Quiz 2: Roots: Making Race and Ethnicity

What do you think has been the ongoing historical influence of the rise of merchant capitalism in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

In what ways can we see the legacy of the possessive individualism of seventeenth-century England in the current economic system in the United States?

The term "savage" has been applied to different groups of people at various points in history. How does this term connect to issues of power and identity? What other contemporary terms or worldviews can you think of that invoke the same principle implied in the term "savage?"

As Dikötter states, "racist belief systems, like all belief systems, are always linked up with issues of power and prestige." Think of an example of another belief system and describe how it is connected to power and prestige. What are the alternatives to this belief system?

Smelding and Smelding state that "English ideologies about individualism and accumulation of property guided their assault on foreign lands and their treatment of the indigenous peoples of the New World." Give some examples of what the authors mean by this statement.

Describe the differences between English and Irish cultural values about land and property. How did these differences create conflict? Can you think of a contemporary example of differences in cultural values creating conflict between groups of people?

Share an example of a time that you observed the process of "frame assumption" in conversations with classmates, family, peers, or strangers.

Dikötter describes three common explanations of the global dimensions of racism. Briefly describe and provide one contemporary example of each of these. What is lacking in these explanations?

Which of the following was NOT one of the economic changes that took place in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

Which term best describes the attitude and relationship between the English and the Irish during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

What does the term "pater" mean?

When did the global theft of Native American and African labor by state-sanctioned capitalistic enterprises end?

Feagin critiques Marxist analysts and other critical analysts for ignoring or downplaying which of the following aspects of European colonialization?

The ethic that it is the right and duty of whites to expand wherever they needed to increase their prosperity, no matter the cost to those killed, displaced, or exploited in the process, is called

Which of the following is NOT one of the components of racial capital?

Shared assumptions, understandings, and inclinations produce

At the time of the writing of the U.S. Constitution, what percentage of the population was enslaved?

Which Supreme Court case resulted in a ruling that black Americans were "beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race"?