What was the "white man's burden?" How does this policy apply to modern American foreign policy?

Answer 1

"White man's burden" was the idea of the obligation of 'civilized' white men to modernize other cultures - those cultures that they perceived as backwards.

It's a completely arrogant philiosopy and historically only worked to create larger schisms and problems in those areas that it occured. Great examples of this mentality can be seen primarily by the French and the English through their colonization of Africa and the Middle East in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The British occupation of India has 'white man's burden' written all over it. You can also trace the idea of 'white man's burden' through the relationship that the US federal government has had with Native Americans.

I think you can absolutely see this archaic mentality in contemporary American foreign policy - especially right now in the Middle East. Arguably, there is the idea that the US knows better, and it's the obligation of the government to show the "backwards" Arabs how to do things properly. And it's going pretty darn well now, isn't it??

Hope that helped............

Answer 2

The term White Man's Burden is from a poem by Kipling;
Pick up the white man's burden
Send the best you've Got...
are the first two lines. It was a call for the United States to civilize their newly won possessions in the world after the Spanish American War.

If it has effected our foreign policy it is that we know best and the foreign countries should let us tell them what to do. a modern term could also be the Domino Theory and the War on Terrorism.

Answer 3

I think it is a good question, but no offense there is no white man's burden, there is man's burden period. And today in the modern world here in America it is a woman's burden as well for most woman work today rather than homemakers. There really is no race here in America, but I admit a lot of propaganda but weed through that and it is big business that is any man/woman's burden in American or foreign policy. Since everything right now ecomnomically is going in the wrong direction and the ruination of small business is inevitable there will be many to suffer in America as well as world wide. Big business does not donate to any small fund, they just gobble up the small and when they are full they make franchises. However the poverty is appalling right now and the big business will not survive anywhere either in this direction. The Trade division in China has clearly a foot hold on the markets of manufacturing and they are a force to reckon with in the mainstream of economy now. So your guess is as good as any. All the American's can parlay today in foreign policy is technological and or scientific knowledge where as again that also depends readily if they keep the medical policies the same for the Doctors are in surplus.

Answer 4

"white mans guilt" refers to the notion of collective guilt. Slavery etc. This guilt has been inherited through generations and translates itself into modern politics.

Answer 5

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