Case Study – Imperialism And Genocide Due November 1, 2019

Case Study – Imperialism and Genocide Due November 1, 2019 @ 11:59am EST

For this assignment, select one of the following options: Option 1: Imperialism The exploitation of colonial resources and indigenous labor was one of the key elements in the success of imperialism. Such exploitation was a result of the prevalent ethnocentrism of the time and was justified by the unscientific concept of social Darwinism, which praised the characteristics of white Europeans and inaccurately ascribed negative characteristics to indigenous peoples. A famous poem of the time by Rudyard Kipling, "White Man's Burden," called on imperial powers, and particularly the U.S., at whom the poem was directed, to take up the mission of civilizing these "savage" peoples. Read the poem at the following link: HOLD CONTROL KEY + CLICK LINK TO OPEN · Link (website): White Man's Burden (Links to an external site.) (Rudyard Kipling) After reading the poem, address the following in a case study analysis: · Select a specific part of the world (a country), and examine imperialism in that country. What was the relationship between the invading country and the native people? You can select from these examples or choose your own: · Belgium & Africa · Britain & India · Germany & Africa · France & Africa · Apply social Darwinism to this specific case. · Analyze the motivations of the invading country? · How did ethnocentrism manifest in their interactions? · How does Kipling's poem apply to your specific example? You can quote lines for comparison.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Title: Imperialism in India: The British Colonial Impact and the Ideology of Social Darwinism

Introduction

Imperialism has played a pivotal role in shaping modern history, often justified under the guise of civilizing missions, economic expansion, and ideological beliefs. The British colonization of India exemplifies imperialistic practices driven by economic motives and a racialized ideology of social Darwinism. Rudyard Kipling’s poem "White Man's Burden" encapsulates the paternalistic attitude that justified imperial conquest as a moral obligation to civilize "savage" peoples, reflecting the ethnocentric worldview of the era.

Imperialism in India and British-Native Relations

British imperialism in India began in the early 17th century with commercial interests and expanded into political dominance by the 19th century. The relationship between the British colonizers and the Indian people was characterized by exploitation, cultural imposition, and racial superiority. The British perceived Indians as incapable of self-governance, which justified their paternalistic approach. Indian labor was exploited in agriculture and factories, serving British economic interests, while the native population faced social marginalization and cultural suppression.

Application of Social Darwinism

Social Darwinism, an unscientific but widely accepted ideology at the time, posited that Europeans had evolved culturally and biologically to a superior state, which justified their imperial conquests. In India, this ideology manifested in the belief that British "civilization" was a natural and benevolent duty, promoting the idea that Indian society was "less evolved" and needed guidance from the supposedly superior Europeans. This racial hierarchy reinforced the imperial power structure and justified the exploitation of Indian resources and labor.

Motivations of the Invading Country

The British motives were multifaceted, combining economic interests, strategic territorial control, and a sense of racial superiority fostered by social Darwinism. Access to India's vast resources, particularly textiles, spices, and later, opium, fueled economic expansion. Politically, controlling India established the British Empire's dominance in Asia. The ethnocentric worldview, reinforced by social Darwinist thinking, legitimated the subjugation and civilizing mission, portraying Indians as needing guidance.

Manifestations of Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism manifested in British policies that dismissed Indian cultural practices, including the suppression of native traditions and the imposition of British legal and educational systems. British officials often regarded Indian society as primitive, which justified policies of cultural imperialism. This ethnocentric attitude fostered racial stereotypes and justified exploitation and political dominance.

Kipling’s "White Man's Burden" and Its Application

Kipling’s poem explicitly calls upon Western powers to "take up the White Man’s burden," framing imperialism as a moral duty. The line "Send forth the best ye breed— / Go bind your sons to exile" echoes the recruitment of colonizers who believed they bore a civilizing responsibility. In the context of British India, this sentiment justified the extensive administrative and cultural efforts aimed at civilizing the Indian population, despite the exploitation and oppression inherent in colonial rule. The poem’s paternalism and racial superiority themes directly corroborate the ethnocentric attitudes that shaped British policies.

Conclusion

The imperialism of Britain in India exemplifies the intertwining of economic motives, racial ideology, and ethnocentrism, all justified by social Darwinist beliefs and paternalistic ideology as reflected in Kipling’s "White Man's Burden." The relationship was characterized by exploitation, cultural suppression, and racial hierarchies, which have left a lasting impact on post-colonial Indian society.

References

• Breckenridge, C. A. (2014). Imperialism and the making of colonial society. Cambridge University Press.
• Chakrabarty, D. (2000). Provincializing Europe: Postcolonial thought and historical difference. Princeton University Press.
• dirks, P. (2012). Colonialism and Culture. University of Minnesota Press.
• Kipling, R. (1899). White Man's Burden. Public domain.
• Metcalf, T. R. (1995). Imperial connections: India in the Indian Ocean arena. University of California Press.
• Bhambra, G. K. (2014). Connected sociologies. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Said, E. W. (1978). Orientalism. Pantheon Books.
• Connell, R. (2010). The Western way of war: Infantry, technology, and humanity. Yale University Press.
• Saran, S. (2017). Colonial narratives and postcolonial realities. Routledge.
• Young, R. J. C. (1995). White mythologies: Writing history and the West. Routledge.