Early anthropological writings were riddled with biases due to______
all of the answers provided
manifest destiny
imperialism
Social Darwinism
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is all of the answers provided.
Early anthropological writings were heavily influenced by biases stemming from various ideological and political forces such as imperialism, Social Darwinism, and Manifest Destiny. These factors shaped the way anthropologists viewed and documented cultures, often leading to inaccurate, ethnocentric interpretations.
Imperialism played a major role in the development of anthropology. During the colonial period, European powers sought to justify their domination over indigenous peoples. Many anthropologists, either consciously or unconsciously, viewed non-European societies as inferior or “primitive” and used their research to support colonial agendas. These writings often portrayed native cultures in a negative light, reinforcing stereotypes that justified the exploitation of colonized people.
Social Darwinism was a theory that applied Charles Darwin’s concept of natural selection to human societies. Proponents of Social Darwinism believed that certain races or societies were “more evolved” than others, which justified inequality and domination. This ideology influenced anthropologists to frame their studies in ways that supported the idea of a hierarchy of races, with Western civilizations at the top and others considered backward or degenerate.
Manifest Destiny was an ideology that justified the expansion of the United States across North America. It was based on the belief that Americans were divinely ordained to spread their culture and political system across the continent. This ideology led to the erasure or misrepresentation of indigenous cultures and peoples, as anthropologists often viewed Native American tribes and other indigenous groups as obstacles to American progress and civilization.
All these biases were interwoven, leading early anthropologists to produce works that reflected the political and cultural prejudices of their time, often distorting or marginalizing the perspectives of the people they studied.