Imperialism In Rudyard Kipling's The Man Who Would Be King

1776 marked a significant year in American history. That was the year in which the U.S. declared its independence from its fathering nation, Britain. Britain did not just give America the freedom, America fought for their freedom. American broke away for numerous reasons. This paper will explain why the colonists broke away and whether or not their reasons for waging war and breaking justified.

Overall, Rudyard Kipling uses personification in “Rikki-tikki-tavi” to demonstrate how loving or being loved affects your actions and

Perspectives To imperialize is to take control of a culture or a group of colonies and teach them the value of another culture. Historically, Imperialism began in Europe because of Social Darwinism, the desire for humanity to make the best possible traits. Therefore, Europe began the idea that it was their duty to influence other colonies and help civilize them. However, imperialist took control of the power they gained and it later became a controversial topic. Imperialist gained power and control economically, politically and socially over the colonies while the colonized people lost cultural values and wealth.

Rudyard Kipling was an English poet who wrote poem named “The White Man’s Burden” in 1899. The poem talks about the burden of the white man which is “To serve your captives’ need; To wait, in heavy harness,”(Document 6). Many saw imperialism as a way to bring a sense of civilization and democracy to people who lacked the ability to cultivate it themselves. The burden is to sacrifice their time to serve and guide those who are inferior. This is a very racist way of thinking since people the way of thinking perceives minorities as unable to be civilized and inferior to Caucasian people.

Throughout the turn of the 19th Century a big question was raised among the American people and their leaders, was America going to become an Imperialist state or not? The question was not really raised previously during the 1800’s. The people of America were previously occupied colonizing its own land and settling towns throughout the area. However, once they reached the end of their exploration, which ended at the Pacific Ocean, where would they go? Should they start to colonize other islands around the world, or shall they be content in their own little world?

Countries like America and Britain, believed they were well off and the best. That other countries should follow their ways and traditions, and with doing so, they would improve. American Senator A.J. Beveridge states that the U.S. has resources in surplus, and that the country should be the leader in trades by establishing trading posts and selling their products (Doc. Two). According to Cecil Rhodes, the British were the best race, and that the more colonies that they conquered, the better it is for the world (Doc. Five). Race also played a role in Rudyard Kipling’s poem

Throughout American History, imperialists and anti-imperialists ideals have opposed each other, but each for a valid reason. The imperialists were for expanding the United States and for spreading their ideas of government. The anti-imperialists wanted to play it safe and prevent any conflict that could have risen. It is also existent in today's world with modern day conflicts about the current imperialistic values. The views of American Imperialism were similar about the concerns for racism, but the views also differed because some believe the US was strong when others do not.

Document 3 (“The White Man’s Burden” by Rudyard Kipling) expresses the

The fifth example is what the imperialist empires, in regards to other races considered below them and inferior to them, believe their purpose in the world to be. For example, the British empire believed that its role was “educating and Christianizing the ideigenous population to the point where they could expect someday, even if that day were long off, to govern themselves. They believed they were bringing progress and improvement to people who had fallen under the sway of ‘oriental despots’ but who, because they were born rational men and with exposure to liberal reforms, eduation, free trade, and Christianity, could learn the ways of self- government” (Kent 216). Imperialist empires secondarily used race, after intervening with other

In history, it is evident that Imperialism has direct implications of industrial advancement; however, when discussing the topic of moral stature, it is clear that imperialism is a damaging force. Document 1, document 2, and document 7 all discuss the industrial aspect of imperialism. Document 1, written by Parker T. Moore, a white man, talks about exporters and manufacturers. Moore states that colonial markets require political control and imperialism to thrive. The British come in and set up their markets, pushing the natives away.

This idea that white Americans were the only people who were adequately equipped to participate in government made itself known during the age of American imperialism. The 1899 poem The White Man's Burden by Rudyard Kipling, demonstrates perfectly the ideas of white supremacy held during the imperialist movement. Within the poem, Kipling encourages and supports the imperialization of the Philippines by the United States, implying that it is the duty and burden of white men to help the less fit.

Did you know that from 1875 to 1900 there were 26 million deaths caused by famine in India? As the East India Company (Britain) saw India growing weaker they took that as an advantage and sent troops to India and defeated them. Britain soon took power over India, They formed a group of Indian Soldiers called sepoys to join their army. Starting out, Britain improved many things, but after a while they started taking advantage of India by using their raw materials and people to grow their own empire. British Rule in India resulted in the in them taking over the government, taking all the material from the Indians and destroying their land and ending in a large amount of India's population dead because of famine.

He described the empire as selfish, powerful, and careless. In his novella, Kipling mentioned that “Englishmen are not usually softened by appeals to the memory of their mothers.” This quote is a prime example of the thought process of the British Empire. The men were brainwashed to think in a way which impacted their feelings about their own mothers. Doing this helps to ensure that the men are focused about their task so they can get the jobs done quicker and in the right way.

They believed they were superior to the people of India, therefore it did not matter what the people of India believed or how British actions made them feel. In “The Mark of the Beast”, Rudyard Kipling uses symbolism to portray ignorance and arrogance in India brought on during its colonization by Britain. The character of Fleete exemplifies that ignorance and insensitivity, and he ultimately pays a grave price. Rudyard Kipling was able to experience both India and Britain growing up. Kipling was born in Bombay, India and was later taken to Britain to be educated (“Rudyard Kipling - Biographical” nobelprize.org).

The British Empire “The sun never sets on the British Empire”, is a well-used phrase about the old British Empire, where Britain ruled almost one-quarter of the world’s population. They had colonies in all the continents in the world. How did Britain manage to get all these colonies? And why did they suddenly lose the whole Empire? What have the coloni zation had to say for the countries involved?