In order to comprehend acts of oppression such as the slave trade, not to mention the atrocities which accompanied it, an investigation into the psychological reasoning of the oppressors must be considered. People are not inherently evil; however, all human beings have the capacity to commit evil acts. Dehumanisation is commonplace in instances of persecution. John Wade describes dehumanisation as a “psychological state and linguistic transition which occurs during conflict which both justifies past behaviour; and encourages future aggressive conflict.” In another definition; to dehumanise is to deprive a person or group of human qualities, stripping them of their personal identity and individuality. In instances of persecution, dehumanisation serves as a justification and rationalisation of past and future behaviour. With these definitions in mind, slavery is the epitome of dehumanisation. Many take for granted the dehumanisation of slaves. However, the power of this psychological spur must be considered in depth, chiefly because dehumanisation is still taking place and leading to disastrous consequences such as genocide and mass murder in the twenty-first century.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Psychological Analysis of Dehumanisation
3. Dehumanisation in the Atlantic Slave Trade
4. Ideology and Religious Justification
5. Modern Implications and Legacy
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to evaluate the psychological role of dehumanisation during the Atlantic Slave Trade and analyze how these historical processes continue to influence systemic racism and societal perceptions in the twenty-first century.
- The psychological mechanism of dehumanisation as a tool for moral disengagement.
- The historical use of religious ideologies, such as the "Curse of Ham," to justify enslavement.
- The impact of animalistic stereotypes and racial imagery in institutionalizing inferiority.
- The correlation between historical dehumanisation tactics and contemporary subconscious biases.
Excerpt from the Book
The role of dehumanisation during the Atlantic Slave Trade
One of the crudest forms of dehumanisation during the slave trade was the association of Black people with primates. The connection between human beings and animals dehumanises people to such a degree that they become insignificant. If humans are the superior beings, then any people deemed less than human are automatically inferior and subsequently dispensable. History has shown us again and again that the use of dehumanising words can precede grave crimes against humanity; the Jews were rats; the Tutsis were cockroaches. Both instances ended in genocide. Similar parallels were also drawn between Black people and apes; images, stories and tales infiltrated popular culture throughout the slave trade. Rudimentary posters depicting an evolutionary scale which insinuated that Africans were as evolved as primates were on show. It was widely accepted that Africans had the same features and traits as apes. These powerful ideologies are problematic to overcome. And unfortunately, some fraction of this association is still prevalent in modern day society.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This section introduces the concept of dehumanisation as a psychological state utilized to justify oppression and atrocities throughout human history.
Psychological Analysis of Dehumanisation: Explores the internal and external factors that allow ordinary individuals to commit extraordinary acts of evil by stripping victims of their identity.
Dehumanisation in the Atlantic Slave Trade: Examines how the slave trade utilized dehumanisation to avoid guilt, pacify consciences, and rationalize the treatment of Africans as property.
Ideology and Religious Justification: Discusses how the Bible and specific interpretations like the "Curse of Ham" provided a divine mandate for the enslavement of Black people.
Modern Implications and Legacy: Analyzes the persistence of racial stereotypes in the modern era and their links to current societal discrimination.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the argument that dehumanisation remains the core root from which contemporary racism and structural inequalities have grown.
Keywords
Dehumanisation, Atlantic Slave Trade, Racism, Oppression, Psychological justification, Ideology, Slavery, Stereotypes, Human rights, Cognitive dissonance, Colonialism, Racial prejudice, Identity, Persecution, Modern-day implications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The work focuses on the psychological role that dehumanisation played in the Atlantic Slave Trade and how these ideologies have persisted to shape modern-day racism.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The central themes include psychological motivation, religious and ideological justifications, the use of dehumanising stereotypes, and the lasting impact of colonialism on contemporary society.
What is the research goal?
The goal is to analyze how the systematic stripping of human qualities from the enslaved population allowed for the justification of atrocities and to identify how these patterns still manifest today.
Which scientific approaches are utilized?
The work employs historical analysis and psychological frameworks, drawing upon sociologists and researchers to explain the mechanism of moral disengagement and cognitive dissonance.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body examines historical accounts, slave narratives, the use of religious scripture to justify slavery, and modern psychological studies linking racial bias to dehumanising perceptions.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include Dehumanisation, Atlantic Slave Trade, Racism, Oppression, Ideology, and Psychological justification.
How did religious authorities contribute to the slave trade?
The work explains that historical figures used interpretations of the "Curse of Ham" from the Bible to frame Black people as divinely ordained for servitude, thereby providing a moral shield for oppressors.
What does the research suggest about modern-day biases?
It suggests that subconscious associations between Black people and primates, established centuries ago, are still detectable in modern psychological studies and continue to fuel systemic discrimination.
- Arbeit zitieren
- BA HONS Leila Fielding (Autor:in), 2012, The role of dehumanisation during the Atlantic Slave Trade and the modern day implications, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/203185
