Yes, and blacks were working as slaves

still, the era layed the foundation for the abolition of slavery, the liberation of woman and scientific advancements which brought us the computer and smart phones. I'm not quite sure that men being in charge was a vital component of modernization

as a matter of fact, I think the notion of equality was definitely vital to modernization, because it allowed more and more people to live up to their full potential. patriarchy doesn't, it's oppressive, it holds half of the human population back and prevents it from contributing to the advancement of the human race.