White Mans Burden

Believed to be the “most civilized” and modern colony, Britain felt the need to lend a helping hand out to all the other barbaric nations. They believed it was their responsibility to govern and impart their culture among these savage individuals. In the 19th Century these British colonies set out on a mission, founded upon love and the urge to make this world a better place, soon morphed into something incredibly wrong. Economic exploitation became Britain’s source of income, and Social Darwinism became their motto. Defining the uncivilized people as “Half devil and half child” we are enlightened with the harsh reality that the White man’s burden was based upon euro centrism. They are clearly stating “because you don’t follow my religion, you are half devil”, “because you don’t have the same way of life, because you don’t comprehend the things we comprehend, your minds are immature, they are childish, you are an individual with a child’s brain trapped in an adult body.” Through economic exploitation, Britain enslaved people, to their religion, culture and way of life. When the British Empire came to these unexplored lands and found China, they began to divide the empire into many different sections. They took control over the citizens, and introduced them to a product in which they would become hooked. Opium a strong drug, that causes hallucinations to the user, equivalent to heroin, was given to the Chinese. When they received this drug, it gained popularity quickly across the country, which pleased the British. They users soon became so addicted; the European’s raised the price and became very wealthy. When the Chinese government soon realized what this drug was doing to the country and the people, they banned the drug. Europe became furious, and they broke out into war. The country that Europe supposedly was there to help, was now the country they were giving any effort to kill; all because they were not going to allow the people to waste away their lives to this drug. They used the promising term of “White man’s Burden” as an excuse; they turned it into a matter of social Darwinism. Feeling they were the masters over this nation and that they were inferior, ruling over them, making any decision that the country could come face to face with. I believe that the White man’s Burden was never justified in sense of them giving a helping hand to the Chinese government or people.

Known for the riches in spice, gold, silver and silk Britain believed that if they were to travel the distances and get to India, these products of luxury could be theirs. Upon their arrival, they saw that the country was struggling, with ongoing arguments and disputes between the nation, they felt it was their chance to step in and make a difference. However, instead of providing these Indians with a more civilized and friendly way of life, they enslaved them. Put them into bondage mentally and physically. Forcing each and every Indian into carrying around a document of identification, stating laws tat would allow the European soldiers to break into the homes of the Indians, permitting them to arrest them on ridiculous accusations, they put India into more bondage then it had every seen. No one believed that they’d see the day that their country gained independence; however Mahatmas Gandhi was going to lead the country to liberation. He would not use violence, nor harsh words. He would get what he wanted through respect and patience. When the British Empire head about this brave man, they were appalled, and had no faith in such a man. They would not allow and Indian to win, it was indeed their country to “babysit” and that’s what they intended on doing. Very slowly and quietly, Gandhi began to gain fame all around India, gaining more followers he slowly but gradually began to make a difference and get his word out. Preaching to large bodies of people all around, he shared the same message of love, compassion, and determination. Turning everyone’s hearts around letting them know that violence is not the way to sold problems, but showing the British army that they were a peaceful nation. Responding back maliciously the British leaders acted out ill mannered, imprisoning Gandhi and his followers, not once but numerous times. Leading an army to the act of genocide, killing off children, mothers and fathers, beating any man who stood for the rights of India. Britain was there to help India, lead them to a more civilized way of life, however everything that they stood for, they were now defying. Therefor Britain did not help India in the way that they intended, they made them stronger, and taught them how to work together, the White man’s burden is not the proper way of defining what Britain did for India, it is all a made up hoax hiding away the truth that they were all to shallow to admit.