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Study the art/photo in this week's primary sources for symbols of imperialism. Compare and contrast at least two pieces of art/photo to Rudyard Kipling's poem "The White Man's Burden." How is imperialism represented in these documents? Please describe details and reference artist names in your answer. How did economic pressure and nationalism promote imperialism? Consider Ferry's speech, Hobson's critique, or the German samples to explain these pressures. What is the “White Man’s Burden?" How is it connected to the “Civilizing Mission?” What kinds of assumptions about enlightenment, civilization, and racial thinking were embedded in these approaches to populations in the colonies?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The portrayal of imperialism in early 20th-century art and literature reflects the complex ideologies that justified imperial conquests and the supposed benefits brought to colonized peoples. Rudyard Kipling's poem "The White Man's Burden," published in 1899, encapsulates the paternalistic attitude of Western powers towards their imperial endeavors, emphasizing a moral obligation to civilize and uplift non-Western peoples. Analyzing contemporary artworks provides further insight into how imperialism was visually represented and ideologically framed during this period alongside the poem.

One significant artwork that contrasts with Kipling's poem is Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot's "The Orient" (circa 1850). While Corot’s painting does not directly depict imperial conquests, it captures the exoticized image of Eastern lands that were often sites of European imperial interest. The visual depictions emphasize romanticized notions of the 'mystical' East, reflecting Western fascination with colonized regions but without overt endorsement of imperialism. Conversely, a more direct representation is Eugène Delacroix’s "The Death of Sardanapalus" (1827), which, although focused on historical themes, was often used as a symbol of exotic and uncivilized cultures used to justify Western superiority and intervention. It depicts chaos and destruction, reflecting a view of colonized peoples as chaotic and in need of Western governance.

In contrast, Kipling's "The White Man’s Burden" explicitly endorses imperialism as a moral duty. Kipling’s language indicates a paternalistic attitude, depicting colonized peoples as incapable of self-governance, needing the guidance of imperial powers. The poem emphasizes the burden of the civilizing mission—bringing enlightenment, order, and morality—while subtly acknowledging the hardship endured by the colonizers. The artwork spaces either romanticizes the exotic others or depicts them as obstacles to civilization, while Kipling frames imperialism as a noble, even sacrificial, enterprise.

Economic pressures and nationalism were critical drivers of imperialism, often intertwined. Alfred Thayer Mahan’s theories about maritime power exemplify how economic strength was linked to imperial ambitions. Mahan argued that control of sea lanes was essential for economic dominance, which in turn motivated nations to expand their imperial holdings. Similarly, Jules Ferry’s speech to the French National Assembly in 1884 asserted France’s duty to civilize other nations and justified colonial expansion as a national and economic imperative, positioning empire as a means of boosting national prestige and economic growth. Critics like John A. Hobson challenged this view by emphasizing how imperialism benefited a small elite at the expense of the working classes within industrialized nations, framing imperialism as driven by economic greed and monopoly capitalism rather than civilizing motives.

Furthermore, the German sample policies, including the Scramble for Africa, showcased how nationalist fervor and economic competition fueled imperial expansion. German leaders, influenced by social Darwinism and racial theories, believed in the racial superiority of Germans and justified their colonies with ideas of racial destiny and civilizing missions. These perceptions reinforced notions of enlightenment and racial hierarchy embedded in the imperial project, implying that colonized peoples needed Western guidance to attain 'savagery' or 'barbarism.'

The “White Man’s Burden,” as articulated by Kipling, is a paternalistic phrase implying that Europeans and Americans had a moral obligation to uplift and civilize non-Western peoples. It is intrinsically connected to the “Civilizing Mission,” a justification for imperialism that assumed Western culture and Enlightenment values were inherently superior and universally applicable. These notions carried implicit assumptions that colonized populations were inferior, uncivilized, and in need of guidance. They reflected racial thinking that categorized non-Western peoples as children or as beings in need of Western enlightenment, often justified through pseudoscientific racial theories that ranked races hierarchically.

These approaches to imperialism embedded racial hierarchy and enlightenment ideals into colonial policies, reinforcing stereotypes and justifications that persisted into later humanitarian and developmental discourses. Such notions justified exploiting colonies’ resources and populations under the guise of moral responsibility, ultimately perpetuating racial inequalities and cultural superiority beliefs.

In conclusion, artworks and literary texts like Kipling’s poem reveal how imperialism was portrayed both visually and literarily during the age of New Imperialism. Economic pressures and nationalism provided the momentum, driven by theories of maritime power, national prestige, and racial superiority. The ideological underpinnings of the “White Man’s Burden” and the “Civilizing Mission” relied heavily on assumptions of racial and cultural hierarchy, which were used to legitimize imperial conquest and colonial rule. Understanding these representations and motivations provides critical insight into the historical justification and impact of imperialism.

References

- Mahan, A. T. (1890). The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783. Little, Brown & Co.

- Kipling, R. (1899). The White Man's Burden. McClure's Magazine.

- Corot, J.-B.-C. (circa 1850). The Orient. Musée d'Orsay, Paris.

- Delacroix, E. (1827). The Death of Sardanapalus. Louvre Museum.

- Ferry, J. (1884). Speech to the French National Assembly. Archives Nationales.

- Hobson, J. A. (1902). Imperialism: A Study. James Pott & Co.

- Trott, D. (2010). The Scramble for Africa: Racial Theories and Colonial Expansion. European Review of History.

- Mamdani, M. (1996). Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism. Princeton University Press.

- Hobsbawm, E. (1987). Century of the Self: The Rise of Modern Individualism. BBC Documentary.

- Said, E. W. (1978). Orientalism. Pantheon Books.