The Effects of Social Darwinism on Imperialism

Paper Summary:

This paper explains how the theory of Social Darwinism fueled the flames of imperialism by leading oppressor nations to believe that their imperialistic ventures were a natural, social evolutionary process and not a cruel, tyrannical system of governance. It discusses how the soldiers' belief in Social Darwinism allowed them a universal pardon for their actions.

From the Paper:

"Secondly, the success of these imperialist lands is owed largely to the support of their people. The leaders "marketed" imperialism to the people under the pretense of Social Darwinism. Finally, when these weaker countries were subjugated, they were conditioned to believe that the invasion and oppression of their people was an unavoidable result of nature. The oppressed peoples bought into this to some extent because, according to Social Darwinism, only the fittest survive and the unfit will inevitable fall by the wayside. So, the manifestation of the theory permitted the imperialistic nations to survive and multiply while the oppressed civilizations were invaded and distorted."

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