White Man's Burden

Definition

The concept of "White Man's Burden" refers to the belief held by some Europeans and Americans during the late 19th and early 20th centuries that it was their duty and responsibility to bring civilization, Christianity, and progress to other parts of the world, particularly non-white societies. It justified imperialistic actions as a moral obligation.

Related terms

Social Darwinism: This term refers to the application of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection to human societies, suggesting that certain races or nations were naturally superior to others.

Colonialism: This term describes when one nation exercises control over another territory, often exploiting its resources for economic gain.

Paternalism: This term refers to a policy or practice where those in power (such as colonizers) act as paternal figures towards those they consider inferior (such as colonized peoples), making decisions on their behalf for their own supposed benefit.