Race and Politics in Early Americas, Haiti, and Canada

Introduction

Race and racism had multiple effects on society and politics in early history. Race and racism functioned primarily as mechanisms for turbulent social and political relationships, and served to segregate members of society even when those members shared a common cultural and ethnic background to some extent. Race functioned in early history as a mechanism through which people categorically defined who was deserving and undeserving of certain rights, wealth, and comfort in living. People defined superiority and achievement primarily based on race, even in the early Americas.

This paper discusses the impacts of race and racism on society and politics within multiple colonies, including British North America, the early United States, French Saint-Domingue, and Haiti. Specifically, it analyzes how race stimulated and maintained a turbulent and disjointed political and social environment during early history, and how race was used to define various groups' worth, rights, and abilities.

Racial Categories and Early U.S. Society

In the early United States, those of European descent were primarily considered white or Caucasian, and anyone of a contrasting color — whether Black, brown, red, or yellow — was widely referred to as a member of another race (Wikipedia, 2005). During the period of colonization, "Black" generally came to refer to those of African ancestry, and "brown" was often applied to Hispanics; "red" clearly referred to Native Americans, while "yellow" referred primarily to those of Asian descent (Wikipedia, 2005).

Race played an important role from both a social and political context in early U.S. history, where members of the Caucasian race — primarily those of European descent — were afforded more privileges, benefits, and social acceptance than those of other races. Those not clearly of Caucasian descent, even if lighter-skinned, were often assigned to a particular racial heritage regardless of mixed ancestry.

Race Relations in British North America

Race was less of a defining social and political issue in British North America, where race conflicts were not as prolonged as they were in the Americas (Ostara, 1999). Within British North America, most indigenous peoples were displaced by Caucasian immigrants, though generally in a less openly violent manner. The first official race conflict in Canada occurred as a result of shifting demographics, when the French waged war on the territory and established an increasing presence after defeating the native Iroquois (Ostara, 1999). Thereafter, a rapid influx of Caucasian immigration ensued and continued for some time under French governmental control.

Race had less of an impact on British Canada's struggle for independence than on the independence struggle in America. Many Loyalists fled to British North America during the Revolutionary War, and many Native peoples joined the white population in siding with the British government in Canada (Ostara, 1999). After the Civil War, free Blacks and other indigenous populations found more sympathy among British North Americans than among individuals living in the early United States (Ostara, 1999).