Race The Origins of an Idea, 1760-1850

Part of the "Key Issues" series which offers insight into the historical, social and political context in which a key publication or topic emerged. This text reproduces documents surveying developments in Germany, France and Britain, revealing the rise of racial theory from Georges Buffon onwards.



The "Key Issues" series aims to make available the contemporary responses that met important books and debates on their first appearance. These take the form of journal articles, book extracts, public letters, sermons and pamphlets which provide an insight into the historical relevance and the social and political context in which a publication or particular topic emerged. Each volume brings together some of the key responses to the works. The 19th century saw the rejection of earlier classifications of racial diversity - as grounded in environment, education, and divine origins - for that of scientific racialism. Used to account for political problems within Europe, it justified imperialism and the imposition of rule over so-called "primitive peoples". Yet such racial theory, which in the late-20th century, is seen as a characteristic development of the 19th century, had its foundations in the age of Enlightenment. This text reproduces documents surveying developments in Germany, France and Britain, revealing the rise of racial theory from Georges Buffon and Blumenbach onwards.