Final answer:
The racial group described in the 1851 Harper's Weekly article with stereotypical physical attributes is most likely African Americans. The term 'model minority' often refers to Asian Americans. 'African American' can refer to a variety of groups, representing the diversity within the African American community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1851 article in Harper's Weekly describing a racial group as having a "small and somewhat upturned nose" with skin having a "black tint" most likely referred to African Americans. During this time, there were certain stereotypical physical characteristics attributed to racial groups in America. The article's language fits with the common stereotypes of African Americans at that time. Additionally, during the 19th century, and particularly in the context of a publication like Harper's Weekly, this group was often the subject of such racialized descriptions.
The term "model minority" often refers to Asian Americans. This stereotype emerged in the latter half of the 20th century and describes the minority group that is perceived to achieve a higher degree of socioeconomic success than the average population, which perpetuates a narrative of Asian Americans being hard-working and highly successful.
Regarding the term "African American", it is a racial term used to refer to various groups, including a Black person living in the United States, persons whose ancestors were brought to the United States through the slave trade, or even a White person who originated in Africa and now lives in the United States. The complexity of this term reflects the diversity within the African American community and confronts the oversimplification of racial categories.