Final answer:
The assertion that racism first occurred in 1945 is false. Racism has been intricately woven into American history since the early colonial era and has manifested through slavery, legalized segregation, and systemic discrimination long before the mid-20th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that racism first occurred in 1945 is false. Racism, particularly in America, has deep historical roots that can be traced back to the early colonial period. From the arrival of Europeans and the settlement of Jamestown in 1607, through the institution of slavery, the exploitation of various racial groups, and the eventual institutionalization of racism, the discrimination based on race has been a persistent and malignant force in American society.
Racism in America began as a financial arrangement, where Africans were seen as property to produce wealth for White people. This structure of racism continued for centuries, with legalized segregation and discrimination being prominent until the mid-20th century. Even after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in 1865, racial prejudice persisted in the form of discriminatory laws, segregation, and acts of violence such as lynchings.
The fight against these oppressive structures only began to gain substantial traction after World War II, with civil rights movements seeking to dismantle the deep-rooted segregation and discrimination. This battle for racial equality highlighted that racism has been a consistent part of American history, much earlier than 1945.