The rise and fall of the Caucasian race : a political history of racial identity / Bruce Baum.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Baum, Bruce David, 1960-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Caucasian race--History.

Caucasian race.

Race awareness--Political aspects.

Race awareness.

White people--Race identity.

White people.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (353 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : New York University Press, c2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The term “Caucasian” is a curious invention of the modern age. Originating in 1795, the word identifies both the peoples of the Caucasus Mountains region as well as those thought to be “Caucasian”. Bruce Baum explores the history of the term and the category of the “Caucasian race” more broadly in the light of the changing politics of racial theory and notions of racial identity. With a comprehensive sweep that encompasses the understanding of "race" even before the use of the term “Caucasian,” Baum traces the major trends in scientific and intellectual understandings of “race” from the Middle Ages to the present day. Baum’s conclusions make an unprecedented attempt to separate modern science and politics from a long history of racial classification. He offers significant insights into our understanding of race and how the “Caucasian race” has been authoritatively invented, embraced, displaced, and recovered throughout our history.

Contents:

Introduction : "Caucasians" and the political history of racial identities

Before the "Caucasian race" : antecedents of European racialism, ca. 1000-1684

Enlightenment science and the invention of the "Caucasian race," 1684-1795

Passage into "our ordinary forms of expression" : the "Caucasian race," ca. 1795-1850

Racialized nationalism and the partial eclipse of the "Caucasian race," ca. 1840-1935

The color line and the "Caucasian race" revival, 1935-51

Not-so-benign racialism : the "Caucasian race" after decolonization, 1952-2005

"Where Caucasian means black" : "race," nation, and the Chechen wars

Conclusion : deconstructing "Caucasia," dismantling racism.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 255-325) and index.

ISBN:

0-8147-0900-1

1-4294-1506-1

OCLC:

782877905