Final answer:
The minstrel show started in the 1840s and reinforced negative stereotypes of African Americans, contributing to systemic racism and segregation practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minstrel show, which began as early as the 1840s, played a significant role in reinforcing many degrading stereotypes of African Americans. While the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s aimed to dismantle segregation and discrimination, the minstrel show tradition was notorious for its blackface performances, which portrayed African Americans in a deeply negative and caricatured manner. Notably, the minstrel show was a predecessor to the musical theatre tradition, which evolved into a popular commercial art form. African American actors like Bert Williams and George Walker broke barriers by starring in successful all-black Broadway shows, such as 'In Dahomey', which was performed in major theaters and even for the King at Buckingham Palace. However, the pervasive racism and stereotypes from the minstrel shows contributed to justifying segregation and discriminatory practices that persisted well into the 20th century.