Final answer:
The British Colonies in North America had limited equality, with significant legal and social barriers preventing parity for women, African Americans, and indigenous peoples.
Step-by-step explanation:
To what extent did social and racial equality exist in the British Colonies in North America? The accurate answer would be b. Limited equality. The early United States was more inclusive compared to many parts of the world during its founding, yet the concept of equal treatment for all was still quite radical. Women, enslaved people of African descent, and indigenous Americans were not given the same rights as white men and were not considered fully human or citizens.
While the North may have been outraged at the Southern Black Codes and though the Radical Reconstruction sought to improve conditions, true social and economic equality was not a reality and there was discrimination in every aspect of life. Even as Northern states were against social and economic equality, they did want a better life for Southern blacks, expectations which were not completely met.
In conclusion, neither in the British Colonies nor during the early years of the U.S. did full equality exist, with significant disparities in treatment based on race and gender.