How did Europeans justify the extension of imperialism as part of the colonial project?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. European countries argued the point expressed by Rudyard Kipling (and endorsed by Social Darwinists) that there the "white man's burden" forced more developed countries to bring civilization to less developed nations. By imperial control of areas that had natural resources valuable to the industrialized world, countries like Britain and France placed European administration and control over the local economy, population, work force, and productivity, with the promise of extending the benefits of modern civilization and infrastructure, transportation, and participation in the world economy. However, this never occurred as the European countries felt their territories were never sufficiently developed or evolved to control their own political or economic destiny. Schools emphasized European values and education in European languages. Missionaries worked on religious conversion to Christianity, and imparting European morals that often conflicted with local traditions (such as the suttee in India). Also problematic was the concept of deindustrialization, or reducing the level of industrialization available to the native populations, particularly seen under the British Raj. While railroads were built throughout India by Indian labor forces, they remained under the control of British owners and administrators, which rejected calls for home rule or participation.