History - The nineteenth-century phrase, “the white man’s burden,” reflects the idea that

The nineteenth-century phrase, “the white man’s burden,” reflects the idea that 

A. Asians and Africans were equal to Europeans. 

B. Asians and Africans would be grateful for European help. 

C. imperialism was opposed by most Europeans. 

D. Europeans had a responsibility to improve the lives of their colonial people. 

E. democracy was the best form of government for Asia and Africa.

Answer:

D. Europeans had a responsibility to improve the lives of their colonial people. 

“The White Man’s Burden” reflects the idea that Europeans had a responsibility to improve the lives of their colonial people. In the 1890s, Rudyard Kipling’s poem expressed the belief that Europeans had a sacred civilizing mission to bring the benefits of Western society to the impoverished people of the regions that they colonized. Kipling’s poem encouraged Europeans to give unselfish service in distant lands. European civilization had reached unprecedented heights and they had unique benefits to bestow on all less advanced people. The phrase, “the white man’s burden,” was based on the perceived inferiority of Asians and Africans. It never considered the gratitude of Asians and Africans for Europe’s help. It was expected that these areas would openly embrace Western civilization. This attitude permeated imperialism and there was never the belief that democracy should be the form of government in Asia and Africa. Imperialism was based on one country conquering a weaker one.