Movies Logo
Racism: A History

Racism: A History

Racism: A History is a three-part British documentary series originally broadcast on BBC Four in March 2007.

It was part of the season of programmes broadcast on the BBC marking the 200th anniversary of the Slave Trade Act 1807, a landmark piece of legislation which abolished the slave trade in the British Empire. The series explores the impact of racism on a global scale and chronicles the shifts in the perception of race and the history of racism in Europe, the Americas, Australia and Asia. The series was narrated by Sophie Okonedo.

Created By
StatusEnded
Original NameRacism: A History
First Air DateMarch 21, 2007
Last Air DateApril 4, 2007
Seasons1
Episodes3
Episode Runtime1h 0min
LanguageEnglish
Original LanguageEnglish
Production CountriesUnited Kingdom
Production Companies
NetworksBBC Four
S01E03

A Savage Legacy

The third and final episode examines the impact of racism in the 20th Century. By 1900, European colonial expansion had reached deep into the heart of Africa. Under the rule of King Leopold II, The Belgian Congo was turned into a vast rubber plantation. Men, women and children who failed to gather their latex quotas would have their limbs dismembered. The country became the scene of one of the century's greatest racial genocides, as an estimated 10 million Africans perished under colonial rule. Contains scenes which some viewers may find disturbing.

View Episodes