Amalgamation is a now largely archaic term for the intermarriage and interbreeding of different ethncitities or "races". In the English-speaking world, the term has been in use into the the twentieth century. In the United States, it was partly replaced after 1863 by the term miscegenation. While the term amalgamation could refer to the interbreeding of different white as well as non-white ethnicities, the term miscegenationwas used to refer specifically to the interbreeding of whites and non-whites, especially African-Americans. Intermarriage normally refers to marriage between people belonging to different religions, tribes, nationalities or ethnic backgrounds. ... It has been suggested that Anti-miscegenation laws be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Anti-miscegenation laws be merged into this article or section. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Predominantly Christianity and Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ...

The term amalgamation was derrived from metallurgy (see amalgam), and has been linked to the metaphor of the melting pot, which originated in the US. However, the intermarriage of whites and non-whites was until quite recently a taboo in the United States, and until 1967 it was illegal in many US states. the word amalgamation, see Amalgamation. ... Alternate meaning: crucible (science) The melting pot is a metaphor for the way in which heterogenous societies develop, in which the ingredients in the pot (iron, tin; people of different backgrounds and religions, etc. ... This article is about cultural prohibitions in general, for other uses, see Taboo (disambiguation). ...

Sources

Hollinger, David A. Amalgamation and Hypodescent: The Question of Ethnoracial Mixture in the History of the United States

See Also

• miscegenation
• melting pot
• immigration to the United States
• Racism in the United States