Question

Write a note on: What was meant by the civilising mission of the colonisers.

Answer 1

Hint: The Europeans believed that it was their generosity to spread the light of civilization all over the world. Hence they used certain tactics to keep their colonies under control.

Complete answer:
The civilising mission of the colonisers was a strategy to keep control over their colonies and strengthen their oppression over them. The Europeans were of the opinion that their ideals and practices were the only possible way to to save the people around the world out of their superstitious beliefs. They felt like they were doing some form of charity. Even if that meant to use force while implementing such measures. They were self professing and discarded the rules and traditions of the people whom they had colonised.

Education was used as a major colonising tool. But the colonists were afraid that the people might retaliate and therefore they did not give full access to western education. The Europeans were aware that western education would instil the principles of democracy, liberty into the people and they would try to gain independence. The colonists used the civilising tools so that the local people could communicate with them and that would help them to increase trade and with the help of the educated people it would be easier to rule the people. So the civilising mission was a method to keep control over the people more than the development of the local people.

Note: The civilising mission was a hypocrisy by the Europeans to maintain their control. The British and French propagated the ‘civilising tools’ in order to demean local cultures. They conquered the Asian and African countries in order to exploit the people and the natural resources.