Chapter Four Between Contempt and Fear: Western Racial Constructions of East Asians since 1800

Linnaeus, Buffon, Kant, Blumenbach and many other great luminaries of modern racial thought lived and worked in the eighteenth century. It was indeed a seminal period in the construction of European racial outlook. This chapter focuses on a number of pivotal issues that shaped those constructions and led to significant political and ideological outcomes. It discusses the initial shift of power between the West and East Asia and its impact on the racial position of East Asians. Next, the chapter deals with the growing accessibility of East Asia and the influx of racial and anthropological research. It further talks about the emergence of evolutionary theory and Social Darwinism and their impact on the racial status of East Asians. Finally, the chapter discusses eventual struggle over Asia culminating in the turn from race construction to sheer racism. Keywords:East Asians; racism; Social Darwinism; Western racial constructions