HSY1511 Assignment 4
APRIL 2024
Questions
1. Discuss how European explorers and Enlightenment thinkers used false scientific
theories to justify slavery and racism with reference to the story of Sarah Baartman.
In the 19 century the European explorers and the Enlightenment thinkers used or utilized
false scientific theories to justify slavery and racism by claiming or saying that Europeans
were superior to Africans. The explorers and Enlightenment thinkers believed that certain
races, particularly white Europeans, were more evolved and superior to other races,
Including Africans. This idea led to the justification of the slave trade and the inhumane
treatment of African people.
Explorers played a significant role in the justification and promotion of racism and slavery.
During the exploration period, European explorers sought to expand their wealth and power
by claiming new places and resources from other parts of the world. As they travel they
encounter cultures and people who appeared different from them. The often saw the people
they encounter as inferior or primitive, and this provided a rationale for slavery and racism.
The explorers believed that they had a duty to “civilize” and “christianize” the people they
deemed as uncivilized. This perception of superiority gave the explorers the justification to
enslave and exploit the Africans the encountered.
The story of Sara Baartman is a heartbreaking example of how the false scientific theories
were used to justify the exploitation of African women or African people. Sarah Baartman
was a Khoikhoi woman who was born in Eastern Cape South Africa in the 19th century
Sarah Baartman.2 Sarah Baartman was married at a young age, at the age of sixteen
sarah’s passed away and she got sold to the slave trade. Sarah Baartman was taken to
Europe to display her physical features. Sarah was shown to onlookers because of her of
her large abnormal buttocks. Sarah Baartman became the symbol of gender and racial
discrimination towards African women.
APRIL 2024
Questions
1. Discuss how European explorers and Enlightenment thinkers used false scientific
theories to justify slavery and racism with reference to the story of Sarah Baartman.
In the 19 century the European explorers and the Enlightenment thinkers used or utilized
false scientific theories to justify slavery and racism by claiming or saying that Europeans
were superior to Africans. The explorers and Enlightenment thinkers believed that certain
races, particularly white Europeans, were more evolved and superior to other races,
Including Africans. This idea led to the justification of the slave trade and the inhumane
treatment of African people.
Explorers played a significant role in the justification and promotion of racism and slavery.
During the exploration period, European explorers sought to expand their wealth and power
by claiming new places and resources from other parts of the world. As they travel they
encounter cultures and people who appeared different from them. The often saw the people
they encounter as inferior or primitive, and this provided a rationale for slavery and racism.
The explorers believed that they had a duty to “civilize” and “christianize” the people they
deemed as uncivilized. This perception of superiority gave the explorers the justification to
enslave and exploit the Africans the encountered.
The story of Sara Baartman is a heartbreaking example of how the false scientific theories
were used to justify the exploitation of African women or African people. Sarah Baartman
was a Khoikhoi woman who was born in Eastern Cape South Africa in the 19th century
Sarah Baartman.2 Sarah Baartman was married at a young age, at the age of sixteen
sarah’s passed away and she got sold to the slave trade. Sarah Baartman was taken to
Europe to display her physical features. Sarah was shown to onlookers because of her of
her large abnormal buttocks. Sarah Baartman became the symbol of gender and racial
discrimination towards African women.
