In order to justify the institution of slavery, beliefs about the inferiority of enslaved people from Africa were developed and persisted after American slavery was abolished. This fits most closely with which of the following statements about racism?
A) Racism is a form of prejudice focusing on cultural differences between people.
B) Racist attitudes became entrenched during the period of Western colonial expansion.
C) Racist attitudes are found in all human societies because humans are designed to notice and dislike people who are different.
D) Racism resides in the individual conscience only.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The belief in the inferiority of enslaved people from Africa was used to justify the institution of slavery, and this belief persisted even after slavery was abolished. This suggests that racist attitudes became entrenched during a specific historical period, which aligns with choice B - the period of Western colonial expansion. options A, C, and D do not adequately explain the persistence of racist beliefs in the context of American slavery.

In Order to Justify the Institution of Slavery, Beliefs About