Lesson 49 of 84 ยท Enlightenment
โญ 30 XPenlightenment: Lesson 49
The Enlightenment also had a profound impact on imperialism, as European powers justified their expansionist policies through the lens of 'civilizing missions.
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The Enlightenment also had a profound impact on imperialism, as European powers justified their expansionist policies through the lens of 'civilizing missions.' Thinkers like Rudyard Kipling promoted the idea that it was the duty of Western nations to bring civilization and enlightenment to 'lesser' societies. This ideology not only contributed to the justification of colonialism but also sparked debates about race, culture, and the consequences of imperialism on colonized nations, leaving a complex legacy of both advancement and exploitation.
Key Facts
Imperialism was often justified through 'civilizing missions.'
Rudyard Kipling promoted Western superiority.
The legacy of imperialism includes both advancement and exploitation.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What ideology justified imperialism in the Enlightenment era?
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