Indeed, each European colony had a different construct of race. And yes, slavery can exist without racism; I won't argue against that.
I really appreciate your input! Yes, it must be harder for me to understand as an American... I admit that I don't know much about the social trend during that time, as 18th century France is not exactly my historical focus, but I would imagine that racial boundaries similar to that of modern ones did exist. Even before the 19th and early half of the 20th century, thinkers and scientists such as Hume, Cuvier, Voltaire and Kant were already commenting on the innate inferiority of blacks, in many cases, linking their phenotypes to inferior traits, especially intelligence. While I would not generalize millions of people based on the writings of a few, it does indeed seem to substantiate that racial distinctions did exist at that time.
Racial construct is not always followed by racial discrimination, but it's highly possible. Could it be possible that the mixed emigrants were accepted because they had some white ancestry? As you know, the racial construct in French and Spanish colonies were different from that of the English, and they seemed to have recognized people of mixed black and white ancestries as a separate class at best (mulattoes and metis), while the English just viewed them as "black." And well, I'd like to think of the French revolutionaries (most of them, anyway) as more socially enlightened than the average European at the time. I'm largely ignorant on this issue so I apologize if I'm sounding close-minded or not making any sense.
As for my original comment regarding Pitt the Younger, I should have added that I thankfully no longer hold that view. I used to when I was much younger and irrational, when my social studies teacher made us watch Amazing Grace in which he is depicted as an effective (not to argue that he wasn't) and altruistic Prime Minister played by attractive Benedict Cumberbatch. I do realize that many of his policies were not the most humane. However, I admit that I lost a whole lot of respect for him when I read your comment about his role in sanctioning France. Oh God.
While Napoleon seems more enlightened than most of the other European monarchs at the time, I'm personally irked by the fact that he effectively reduced women - whom proved themselves to be intelligent and strong enough to be actively participating in French Revolution - to housewives with little legal rights and preached divine right. Although I wholeheartedly agree- he had some major accomplishments and made some progresses.
no subject
I really appreciate your input! Yes, it must be harder for me to understand as an American...
I admit that I don't know much about the social trend during that time, as 18th century France is not exactly my historical focus, but I would imagine that racial boundaries similar to that of modern ones did exist. Even before the 19th and early half of the 20th century, thinkers and scientists such as Hume, Cuvier, Voltaire and Kant were already commenting on the innate inferiority of blacks, in many cases, linking their phenotypes to inferior traits, especially intelligence. While I would not generalize millions of people based on the writings of a few, it does indeed seem to substantiate that racial distinctions did exist at that time.
Racial construct is not always followed by racial discrimination, but it's highly possible. Could it be possible that the mixed emigrants were accepted because they had some white ancestry? As you know, the racial construct in French and Spanish colonies were different from that of the English, and they seemed to have recognized people of mixed black and white ancestries as a separate class at best (mulattoes and metis), while the English just viewed them as "black." And well, I'd like to think of the French revolutionaries (most of them, anyway) as more socially enlightened than the average European at the time. I'm largely ignorant on this issue so I apologize if I'm sounding close-minded or not making any sense.
As for my original comment regarding Pitt the Younger, I should have added that I thankfully no longer hold that view. I used to when I was much younger and irrational, when my social studies teacher made us watch Amazing Grace in which he is depicted as an effective (not to argue that he wasn't) and altruistic Prime Minister played by attractive Benedict Cumberbatch.
I do realize that many of his policies were not the most humane. However, I admit that I lost a whole lot of respect for him when I read your comment about his role in sanctioning France. Oh God.
While Napoleon seems more enlightened than most of the other European monarchs at the time, I'm personally irked by the fact that he effectively reduced women - whom proved themselves to be intelligent and strong enough to be actively participating in French Revolution - to housewives with little legal rights and preached divine right. Although I wholeheartedly agree- he had some major accomplishments and made some progresses.