Explain the civilizing mission, History

Assignment Help:

The Civilizing Mission

The earliest and, to some, most important reason for establishment of European colonial empires had been to spread Christianity. By the later 19th century, this idea had evolved into a broader goal: spreading what most Europeans believed to be their higher form of civilization. Most Europeans of this time believed that their continent had become more economically, politically and culturally advanced than Africa and Asia, because the people there Europeans believed were "primitive" and uncivilized. They believed therefore that Europeans had a "civilizing mission" to spread their way of life around the world.

This idea was linked by many to the theories of Charles Darwin on the evolution of species. Some, like Karl Pearson, modified Darwin's theory into a theory of "survival of the fittest." This modified theory, known as social Darwinism, held that some people were naturally selected to rule over others. Social Darwinists applied this to mean that the more "civilized" race of Europeans should rule over all the "less civilized" people of the world. To support this argument, social Darwinists pointed to the racial difference between Europeans and Africans.

They considered the black skins of people from central and southern Africa to be evidence that Europeans were genetically more advanced. They therefore considered it the historical responsibility of Europeans to spread their superior culture to the rest of the world. This idea was expressed as the "white man's burden."

 


Related Discussions:- Explain the civilizing mission

Religion in the new constitution, Please explain what James Madison views b...

Please explain what James Madison views based on the Founding Faith by Steven Waldman were. Especially, pertaining to Religion in the new Constitution.

What caused president richard nixon, What caused President Richard Nixon to...

What caused President Richard Nixon to act on environmental issues? A. Nixon had always been an environmentalist. B. The environmental protection movement was supported by pu

Indentured servants and significance in american history, What were Indentu...

What were Indentured servants and their significance in American history?

Public education, what role has print media industry played throughout hist...

what role has print media industry played throughout history of public education

Did the humanists have critics or opponents, Did the humanists have critics...

Did the humanists have critics or opponents? Identify their critics and briefly explain their opposition to humanism.

How did westward expansion antagonize relations explain, How did westward e...

How did westward expansion antagonize relations between the American North and South, and foreshadow further conflict between the two regions?

Gold rush, when was gold descovered

when was gold descovered

French and indian war a turning point in american history, How was the Fren...

How was the French and Indian War a turning point in American history? this paper needs bibliography!!!

Was president harry truman wrong, Was President Harry Truman wrong in refus...

Was President Harry Truman wrong in refusing to allow Gen. Douglas MacArthur to bomb China during the Korean War? Defend your position citing specific events in the conflict and ta

Nomadic peoples of asia, Why do you think the nomadic peoples of Asia were ...

Why do you think the nomadic peoples of Asia were so successful and influential during 1000 to 1500 period? What was different from earlier centuries? What were the limits of their

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd