Western Imperialism And Racism Essay Research Paper

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Western Imperialism And Racism Essay, Research Paper Western Imperialism and RacismIn the age of Imperialism, world powers constantly tried to expand theirboundaries. Much of the time they disregarded the native populations or createdstereotypes around them that suited their colonial needs. Imperialism brought about aclash of cultures. Colonial European and Japanese power expanded into Asia and Africa.The British, French, Dutch and Americans considered themselves conquerors with aneminent right to expansion with domain over the native cultures. Their belief that theywere above the people who lived in their colonial empires not only decreased mutualrespect but also gave rise to a racist style of thinking. First, this colonial movement wiped out mutual respect between the

colonialpower and the previously sovereign state; the Europeans clung to it fiercely though. This was not simply a matter of domination, says John Barraclough, author of AnIntroduction to Contemporary History. Although it may have been nothing more than acrude, militaristic, undermining need for power that drove the Europeans to colonize,they saw it differently. Europeans saw their massive expansion at the close of thenineteenth century as the opening of a new era. They thought they were bringing agreater civilization to the backward, non-white, non-European world (Barraclough 65). They saw it as their duty. If non-Europeans could not promote trade, influencetheir economy and create a better (as the Europeans believed), more relevant lifestylethen the colonial powers would have

to do it for them. It was useless to exportEuropean skills to backward countries without at the same time introducing Europeanauthorities to ensure their proper employment; since the native races were unable tomaintain civilized rule themselves, the government of dependencies by the imperialpowers was a necessity of the modern world (Barraclough 65). The Europeans sent out waves of emigrants to populate and control their newterritories. This mix of cultures and ideals should have brought about a greater respectand understanding. New ideas and horizons should have been opened and explored.Unfortunately this great opportunity was squandered. It is evident that the Europeanssaw themselves as superior. They took this belief to its full extent. Every facet of theirlife was deemed more

suitable for civilization. They set out not to accept but to subdueand change. Imperialism, which should have brought the world closer together, onlywidened the gaps between its races and decreased their respect for one another. This cultural clash did everything to create and strengthen racist beliefs. Inorder to coerce a race or a nation they must be dehumanized. It is hard to kill someonewith a name, a face or children. It is impossible to look into the eyes of someone you seeas your brother and pull the trigger and end his life. Yet, if you thought of him as a dog you could do it. To see subservience in a raceall good things about their culture must be seen as minimal, if at all. A person with freewill can not be controlled. A person you believe never had it must be

controlled. In thisway, racism was a vital part of Imperialism. The best example of this is unfortunately a dark chapter in our American history -Slavery. When European settlers first went to Africa they saw the native population thereas savage and primitive. They were just different, but the belief of superiority wasoverwhelming. The colonialists also saw them as easily controlled. So, in greatnumbers, black men, women, and children were brought to America to work as slaves. Racial stereotypes were prevalent to the continuation of the peculiar institution. First, racism held that the Africans needed to be tamed. This ideal allowed for them tobe taken from their homes and contained. It was, in the racist s view, good for them. In the early 1800 s the need for the importation of