HIST 101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 18: Light Skin, Carl Linnaeus
Document Summary
Growing literacy in chinese cities & the treaty ports controlled by european powers. A flowering of chinese literature in new, more modem styles. A new interest in western science, but keeping chinese values. Western science to acquire national wealth & power, not as a way to understand the world, or change fundamental chinese beliefs. Chinese learning would remain the principal source of all knowledge. China still had to reconcile east & west. Ideas of racial & national identity intensified during the late 19th century in europe & united. In both areas, whiteness became the defining characteristic of racial/national identity. Racial classifications of carolus linnaeus (1735) - one of the earliest attempts to rank the earth"s peoples. There were five categories with the lightest skin at the top and the darkest skin at the bottom. White skin was linked to intelligence & higher form of life, the darkest was considered less intelligent and uncivilized.