Final answer:
In the late 1800s, racism provided a key ideological foundation for imperialism, with European and American belief in their own superiority used to justify the economic, political, and military domination over other nations. Technological advancements reinforced the belief in this superiority, leading to violent control over colonized regions and systemic exploitation of indigenous peoples.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relationship Between Racism and Imperialism in the Late 1800s
The late 19th century was a period marked by aggressive imperialism as major European powers and the United States expanded their influence overseas. This policy included the political, economic, and military domination over other nations, particularly in Africa and Asia. Technological advancements played a significant role in enabling imperialism by increasing communication speed, arming European soldiers with superior weapons, and protecting them from tropical diseases.The perceived technological superiority contributed to a widespread belief in European and American societal superiority, which was often expressed in racist ideologies that justified the domination and exploitation of non-European peoples.
Racism manifested in the form of ethnocentrism, a belief in inherent cultural superiority, and was used to rationalize imperialist actions and policies. It promoted the idea that European races were inherently superior to others and destined to rule over them—a concept that was used to justify not only conquest and colonization but also the brutal tactics used to maintain control. The racist ideologies of the time reinforced the exploitation within colonies, where European colonizers held power overwhelmingly and often violently, over the colonized indigenous populations.
In summary, during the late 1800s, racism and imperialism were deeply intertwined, with racism providing the ideological foundation for imperialist expansion and subjugation of non-European peoples. The competition among great powers for global dominance was often marred by a sense of racial entitlement, leading to widespread oppression and unjust control over foreign territories and peoples.