Analyzing Attitudes Toward Imperialism

Question

This activity will help you meet this educational goal:
You will compare and contrast sociocultural perspectives on European imperialism.

Directions
Read the instructions for this self-checked activity. Type in your response to each question, and check your answers. At the end of the activity, write a brief evaluation of your work.
Activity
In this activity, you’ll analyze an advertisement and a political cartoon to examine different perspectives on “The White Man’s Burden.”

Part A
In 1899, British poet Rudyard Kipling published the poem “The White Man's Burden.” Read the poem and then think about this prompt:

The poem dramatically expresses some issues and difficulties of imperialism. Readers interpret the poem in different ways. Some say it’s a justification of colonization. The poem says that colonizing foreign regions was necessary to develop and modernize the world. It was the white man’s burden to lead this task. Others say the poem is a satire. It makes fun of imperialists for believing that they were doing their colonies a favor.

What do you think Kipling’s attitude was toward imperialism? Support your answer with information from the poem and this lesson. Your answer should consist of 75 to 100 words.

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Part B
Think about the motives encouraging Western imperialism in the late nineteenth century. Then examine the following advertisement from that time period. First note the text it contains:

The first step towards lightening the white man’s burden is through teaching the virtues of cleanliness. Pears’ Soap is a potent factor in brightening the dark corners of the earth as civilization advances, while amongst the cultured of all nations it holds the highest place—it is the ideal toilet [bathroom] soap.

an advertisement for Pears' Soap featuring a man in uniform washing his hands and text about the benefits of teaching cleanliness

What are two obvious ideas in the advertisement that reflect European views about race and the nonwhite people living in European colonies? What do these ideas imply about European colonialism and the belief in white superiority? How do these and other ideas in the advertisement use racism to promote imperialism? Write a response to these questions in 100 to 125 words.

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Part C
This cartoon shows another perspective on the white man’s burden. Examine the image and caption closely and answer the question that follows.

a political cartoon showing world leaders riding on the backs of people who live in colonized countries

Who does the artist believe really carries the burden of white imperialism and colonization? What details in the cartoon lead you to this conclusion? Your response should be 75 to 100 words.

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Self-Evaluation
How did you do? Rate your work on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as the highest score. Then write a brief evaluation of your work. Note what you learned and what challenged you.

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Answer 1

Part A Response

Rudyard Kipling's attitude toward imperialism, as expressed in "The White Man's Burden," seems to be one of ambivalent support. The poem portrays imperialism as a noble endeavor, suggesting that it is the duty of white colonizers to civilize and uplift the nonwhite populations. Kipling emphasizes the hardships faced by imperialists, portraying their efforts as self-sacrificial. However, this perspective can also be interpreted as an ironic commentary on the arrogance of imperialists, implying they were misguided in their belief of superiority. Thus, while Kipling advocates for colonization as a burden borne with honor, a critical reading reveals an underlying critique of imperialist attitudes.

Part B Response

The Pears' Soap advertisement reflects European views on race by implying that nonwhite populations lack basic cleanliness and that it is the duty of white colonizers to teach them. The phrase "lightening the white man's burden" suggests that imperialism is justified as a civilizing mission, reinforcing the belief that white Europeans are inherently superior. By associating cleanliness with civilization, the advertisement implies that nonwhite individuals are uncivilized and in need of European intervention. Additionally, it promotes the idea that products like soap are tools for uplifting oppressed populations, exploiting racist notions to portray imperialism as an altruistic endeavor rather than a form of exploitation.

Part C Response

The artist of the political cartoon suggests that the real burden of white imperialism and colonization is carried by the colonized people themselves. The imagery of world leaders riding on the backs of individuals from colonized nations indicates that these leaders benefit from the oppression and labor of the colonized. The weight on the backs of the colonized symbolizes their suffering and sacrifice, while the leaders remain oblivious or indifferent to the plight of those they subjugate. This visual representation critiques the notion of the "white man's burden," revealing the exploitation inherent in imperialist ideologies.

Self-Evaluation

I would rate my work a 4 out of 5. I feel that I effectively captured the different perspectives on imperialism and articulated my understanding of the materials. The challenge I faced was ensuring that my interpretations were nuanced and reflective of the complexities in both Kipling's poem and the advertisement. I learned that the rhetoric of imperialism often masks exploitation, and that analyzing historical sources critically can unveil underlying messages about race and power dynamics. Overall, this activity deepened my understanding of how sociocultural perspectives shaped attitudes toward imperialism.