Between 1725 and 1750, the American colonies witnessed rapid economic expansion, owing largely to the agricultural production of cash products like tobacco, rice, and indigo. This economic expansion increased demand for enslaved labor, resulting in a major increase in the importation of African slaves. Slavery had become a vital part of the colonial economy by the mid-18th century, especially in the southern colonies, where enormous plantations dominated the landscape.

During this time, slavery spread, as did racial beliefs that dehumanized Africans and justified their mistreatment. Slaveholders and colonial authorities spread the rumor that Africans were essentially inferior and destined for slavery, which fueled the social and economic institutions that relied on their labor. These racial beliefs were spread through a variety of channels, including religious teachings, scientific theories, and cultural narratives that characterized Africans as less than human.

Slavery provided significant economic benefits to the colonial rulers. Plantations' prosperity was highly reliant on the cheap labor given by enslaved Africans, which increased slaveholders' wealth and power. This economic reliance on slavery reinforced racial beliefs, as the colonies' success was forever linked to the exploitation of African labor. The colonies' wealth came at a high human cost, with enslaved Africans subjected to brutal conditions and denied basic rights and freedoms.

To justify the spread of slavery, colonial nations created complex racial philosophies portraying Africans as subhuman and adapted to confinement. Religious arguments for slavery were common, with many colonists using the Bible to support the enslavement of African people. The narrative of Ham, a biblical figure thought to be the ancestor of African peoples, was sometimes used as proof that Africans were spiritually destined to be servants.

In addition to religious grounds, pseudo-scientific beliefs evolved, claiming that differences between races were biological. These beliefs incorrectly claimed that Africans were mentally and physically inferior to Europeans, lending justification to the exploitation and dehumanization of African people. Such ideas were deeply accepted and promoted by known philosophers and scientists of the day, establishing racial inequalities in colonial society.

The use of religion and science to justify slavery was an effective strategy for keeping control of the enslaved population. By portraying Africans as inferior, slaveholders were able to justify their conduct and hide any moral concerns about the brutal treatment of enslaved people. This dehumanization of Africans was a fundamental component of the racial ideologies that justified and maintained slavery.

During this time, racial beliefs became solidified, with far-reaching consequences for colonial societies. These views influenced not just laws, but also social norms and cultural activities. The racial hierarchy created a system of privilege and oppression in which white was identified with superiority and entitlement, and blackness with inferiority and slavery.

This racial caste structure influenced social interactions and attitudes, creating a climate of systematic racism that characterized all parts of colonial life. Enslaved Africans were brutally treated and denied basic human rights, but white colonists were granted privileges and opportunities that people of color did not have. Racism was confined, resulting in a society in which racial inequity was commonplace and passed down through generations.

These racial ideals had an impact far beyond the plantation, influencing every area of colonial life. Racial differences dominated social interactions, economic opportunities, and legal rights, resulting in a significantly divided society. The racial hierarchy formed during this time laid the groundwork for racism that still exists in America today, as the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination continues to impact social and economic dynamics.