Race relations in Colonial America
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Following Christopher Columbus’s mission of discovery and conquest, the English settlers and colonists sailed to America with high hopes and aspirations. They sought to create a new nation which reflects upon their own belief system. Because they deemed other races to have inherent faults and flaws contrary to their Puritan values, the English settlers came to establish the link between nationality and race. The belief that other races are inferior allowed these colonists to claim authority over all racial groups, leading to the unfair and unequal treatment of others. Due to the colonists’ ideology of racial superiority, many racial and ethnic groups were met with opposition and discrimination in an atmosphere of heightened racial tension and violence.
The conquering mentality of the early English settlers foreshadowed the beginning of racial conflicts with Native Americans. They came for singular purpose-they wanted to conquer lands. As the English settles down, they brought sharp knives and what was referred to as “long black tubes,” guns. This was the Native Americans’ first impression of the English settlers. From their different tools to their foreign physical appearance, they frighten these Natives...