The White Man's Burden refers to the idea that it was the duty of white colonizers to civilize and improve the lives of non-white indigenous people in colonies during the era of imperialism.
Related terms
Imperialism: The policy of extending a nation's power and influence through colonization, military conquest, or economic domination.
Colonialism: The practice of acquiring control over foreign territories for settlement, exploitation, or political control.
Civilizing mission: The belief held by colonial powers that their culture and way of life were superior to those of indigenous peoples, justifying their efforts to impose their values on others.