Why did European explorers believe they could simply claim lands for their home countries, even though these lands were already populated?
2006-09-03 17:26:59 · 14 answers · asked by soxrworldchamps05 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
Because they believed they were civilized and had the upper hand when it came to ruling other people.
2006-09-03 17:36:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They had several wrong ideologies - might is right was the first one. They had more power, so they took what they wanted. Second they believed that the natives were heathens and savages and needed to be controlled and converted to Christianity. Third, there were riches to be had and the spoils went to the victor. Finally, power was given to the conquerors, the explorers were given huge amounts of land, slaves, and power. If you want to get really deep, don't forget that the conquerors were white and the conquered were not. There was definitely a feeling of superiority going on there.
2006-09-04 00:42:50 · answer #2 · answered by David 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it had more to do with the fact that these cultures didnt have the organized system of government that we have. Native american culture states that no man can own the land, with no real claim over the land who were they to tell the new settlers that they couldnt take it. With no authorities to conduct talks with there was no clear defined ownership and therefore they did take it. Most of all though, and this skirts my "might is right" assertion, there was noone who would stop them.
2006-09-04 00:42:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some thing called Manifest Destiny, a 19th century document that claimed the U.S. had a right and duty to expand across the North American continent. Talk about arrogance.
2006-09-04 02:51:22 · answer #4 · answered by beelziesluv@sbcglobal.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since the beginning of time each population has considered itself superior to it's neighbors. If however the neighbors do something that appears superior it is seen as a threat to their security and they must be destroyed.
2006-09-04 00:36:08 · answer #5 · answered by denbobway 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the Homework Help category and keep your a$$ outta Politics and Government. This is where the big folks talk little guy!
2006-09-04 00:31:24 · answer #6 · answered by machine_head_327 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because in their eyes, they were populated by heathen savages. It was perfectly legal to kill these people and take what spoils they could.
2006-09-04 00:31:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they actually thought they were doing the indigenous peoples a favor. Bringing them their religion, their civilization etc..
2006-09-04 00:42:33 · answer #8 · answered by amish-robot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they felt like they were smarter than the indians and they felt that they could make it better than what it was. Stupid right?
2006-09-04 00:33:47 · answer #9 · answered by Ms. Lise 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they used their wits,, and the labor of the inhabitants
2006-09-04 00:29:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋