Nationalism in Europe inspired the mission to civilize and scientific racism caused and perpetuated by Europeans beginning in and throughout the Industrial Revolution. Industrialization in Europe sparked the modern ideas of civilization and nationalism and began a race between the countries of Europe. It was as if each country was trying to see how many other places they could “civilize” and integrate Western ways of living in an attempt to prove that the people of Europe were more intelligent and successful, thus giving them control of the less established sectors of the world with seemingly unstable governments and “savage” ways of life.
Nationalism is the notion that one’s country or nation is superior compared to societies. It is the idea …show more content…
Europeans believed that their society especially was culturally and physically superior to other societies. Because of this, many European philosophers and scientist felt that it was their moral obligation to exert their influences on the seemingly less civilized sectors of the world. In 1883, Jules Ferry, a promoter of laicism, a French concept of secularism, and colonial expansion, stated that “They (the people of Europe) have the duty to civilize inferior races” (884). Civilizing “inferior races” included introducing Christianity, organized government, and work discipline to aboriginal communities while concealing all native customs that either questioned or differed from the Western ways of living. This civilizing mission initiated by Europeans was seen as great progress and the true meaning of civilization despite the fact that it had a significantly negative effect on the people living in less developed …show more content…
Many scientific “facts” produced by Europeans held extreme prejudice because they believed that the European people were of a superior race. In fact, British anatomist, Robert Knox, who made many biased declarations, stated in 1850 that “race is everything” (883) because he believed that race determined one’s intelligence, moral development, and destiny. Furthermore, as the germ theory arose in nineteenth-century Europe, Knox came to the conclusion that “contact with ‘inferiors’ threatened the health and even the biological future of “superiors” (883). By saying “race is everything,” Europeans are introducing race into studies and situations that it is not applicable to just to prove that they are “superior” beings. By labeling people as “superior” or “inferior,” they are holding human beings to unrealistic standards solely to get a point across. Many of the scientific “facts” were lacking in evidence that explained what made a race “superior” or “inferior.” In the 1830’s and 1840’s, many biased studies were orchestrated that provided the world with nothing but prejudiced and inaccurate results. One such study performed by German physiologist Franz Joseph Gall. Gall believed that one’s brain has multiple “organs” and that each “organ” complies with different mental abilities or traits. Gall insisted that studying of the size, shape, and the geography of the human skull could cater
Nationalism is the notion that one’s country or nation is superior compared to societies. It is the idea …show more content…
Europeans believed that their society especially was culturally and physically superior to other societies. Because of this, many European philosophers and scientist felt that it was their moral obligation to exert their influences on the seemingly less civilized sectors of the world. In 1883, Jules Ferry, a promoter of laicism, a French concept of secularism, and colonial expansion, stated that “They (the people of Europe) have the duty to civilize inferior races” (884). Civilizing “inferior races” included introducing Christianity, organized government, and work discipline to aboriginal communities while concealing all native customs that either questioned or differed from the Western ways of living. This civilizing mission initiated by Europeans was seen as great progress and the true meaning of civilization despite the fact that it had a significantly negative effect on the people living in less developed …show more content…
Many scientific “facts” produced by Europeans held extreme prejudice because they believed that the European people were of a superior race. In fact, British anatomist, Robert Knox, who made many biased declarations, stated in 1850 that “race is everything” (883) because he believed that race determined one’s intelligence, moral development, and destiny. Furthermore, as the germ theory arose in nineteenth-century Europe, Knox came to the conclusion that “contact with ‘inferiors’ threatened the health and even the biological future of “superiors” (883). By saying “race is everything,” Europeans are introducing race into studies and situations that it is not applicable to just to prove that they are “superior” beings. By labeling people as “superior” or “inferior,” they are holding human beings to unrealistic standards solely to get a point across. Many of the scientific “facts” were lacking in evidence that explained what made a race “superior” or “inferior.” In the 1830’s and 1840’s, many biased studies were orchestrated that provided the world with nothing but prejudiced and inaccurate results. One such study performed by German physiologist Franz Joseph Gall. Gall believed that one’s brain has multiple “organs” and that each “organ” complies with different mental abilities or traits. Gall insisted that studying of the size, shape, and the geography of the human skull could cater