Social Darwinism or Imperialism in History and Literature
Social Darwinism is the idea that some groups of society are stronger than others or also known as “Survival of the fittest”. For this was a cause of Imperialism. Imperialism is when a stronger nation takes over a weaker nation or region and dominates its economic, political, or cultural life. Other causes of Imperialism were Economic motives, nationalism, balance of powers, and white man’s burden. Therefore they were able to control people who were scrawnier and determine who or what is acceptable in that society. The position I take is that Social Darwinism is true and does exist. This is proven through history and literature. Social Darwinism or Imperialism is proven through empires building up in Africa. Through this time period, 1800-1914, nations from Europe take over the continent of Africa. It all started at the Berlin Conference, when European leaders met up to divide Africa up to each nation. British thought they were doing the Africans a favor, but in reality the Africans never wanted them there. The British just came in and said they had control over the land and not them. This led to the African Nationalism. The legendary leader, Shaka Zulu decided to broaden their land throughout southern Africa. The Zulu tribe soon came into conflict with the British, but since the British had more advance technology and vast resources they were able to defeat the Zulu tribe. The British also didn’t have any regard towards the tribal boundaries. Africans suffered from tribalism. Tribalism is feelings of loyalty to individual tribes, and the cause of much war and strife in modern Africa. The effect of tribalism was that it would often lead to civil wars and power struggles within national governments. This is one way it justifies that Social Darwinism or Imperialism remains. Imperialism or Social Darwinism is shown through the literature “White Man’s Burden” by Rudyard Kipling, a poem form 1899. In this piece of literature when it says “white man’s burden” it