European Race Classifications: Anthropology, Ethnicity and Politics

Abstract

This chapter examines the stories that race classifiers told about nations and other social identities in Europe. Races were initially equated with ethno-linguistic groups like Celts, Teutons and Slavs, which romanticism made central to national political identity.

It is indeed of importance that all lovers of true science should do all they can to resist this thirst of the great public for sensational stories, which bring true science into discredit. The great public, as well as the scientists, ought to be conscious of the great difficulties connected with anthropological science and should not draw hasty conclusions (Retzius 1909: 312).

The North European race branch cannot properly adapt itself to the demands made upon it by industrialism… It requires high wages for a moderate amount of work and short hours, that it may have time to indulge in pleasure and enjoyment.

The brachycephalic individual of Middle Europe, on the other hand, seems to be far better suited for the demands of industrial life; he is satisfied with a little, is possessed of patience and endurance even when things are dull and dreary, and his work tiring and little remunerative; he is not so much addicted to expensive forms of recreation, but lays by money for his family and for old age’ (Retzius 1909: 300).

The Swedish Anthropologist Gustaf Retzius