European and American belief that it is their responsibility to spread Christianity and to civilize and educate other nations
European and American belief in the responsibility to spread Christianity and civilize and educate other nations can be traced back to the colonial era and the age of exploration. During this period, Western powers believed in the superiority of their own culture, religion, and way of life, and saw it as their duty to spread these values to the rest of the world. This mindset was often justified through a combination of religious zeal and the idea of bringing progress and enlightenment to supposedly "backward" civilizations.
For Europeans, the concept of spreading Christianity and converting non-believers had deep roots in their history. The Catholic Church had played a significant role in European society for centuries, and missionaries had long been dispatched to convert pagan societies. The age of exploration provided new opportunities for expansion and evangelization, as European powers came into contact with previously unknown cultures across the globe.
During this period, European explorers and settlers often saw themselves as agents of progress, civilization, and even salvation. They believed that their own culture, values, and technologies were more advanced and superior to those of indigenous societies. This belief in the civilizing mission of the West was rooted in the idea of the "White Man's Burden," a poem by Rudyard Kipling that called upon white Europeans and Americans to bring their civilization to non-white cultures.
In America, the belief in spreading Christianity and educating others was closely tied to religious and national identity. The United States, founded by European colonizers seeking religious freedom, saw itself as a beacon of liberty and a chosen nation. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, American missionaries embarked on missions around the world, primarily to Asia and Africa, in order to spread Christianity and "save" souls.
This belief in the responsibility to educate and civilize other nations also intertwined with the rise of imperialism. As European powers established colonies in various parts of the world, they believed it was their duty to bring modernization and Western values to these territories. This often involved establishing educational systems, introducing Western legal and political systems, and imposing cultural norms and practices.
Critics argue that the belief in spreading Christianity, civilization, and education was often driven by a desire for power, control, and economic exploitation. Many indigenous cultures and religions were suppressed or eradicated in the name of Western values. Additionally, the assumption that European and American ways were superior and needed to be imposed on others disregarded the rich diversity of cultures and the value of indigenous knowledge and traditions.