During the second great age of imperialism in the 1800’s Europeans looked to expand their empires for several reasons. There was the quest for power, having more land meant having more power. There was the need for natural resources, as industrialization grew so did the need for raw materials, and markets. There was also a social component, a belief that it was their duty and their right. Stemming from the idea of the White Man’s Burden, Europeans believed that it was their duty or obligation to imperialize, modernize and civilize less advanced peoples. Coupled with that idea was the concept of Social Darwinism.
1 comment:
A good post, You are making big connections here.
How does "Social Darwinism" relate to the concept of the "White Man's Burden"? And how does this ideology justify the economic drive for imperial conquest? Do ideas about racial and cultural superiority justify and legitimate conquest and colonization?
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