Why was the concept of race created in the 18th century?

The concept of race emerged in the 18th century as a means to categorize and differentiate human populations based on physical characteristics, particularly in the context of European colonial expansion and the transatlantic slave trade. Enlightenment thinkers sought to classify humanity scientifically, leading to hierarchical classifications that often justified colonialism, exploitation, and systemic inequalities. This period also coincided with the rise of nationalism and the need to define cultural identities, further solidifying race as a social construct with profound implications for power dynamics and social relations.