#AP World History: Modern - Imperialism Justifications: The Ultimate Study Guide

Hey there, future AP World History master! 👋 Let's break down the complex justifications for imperialism. This guide is designed to make sure you're not just memorizing facts, but truly understanding the why behind historical events. Let's get started!

#Imperialism: Justifications and Ideologies

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Imperialism wasn't just about taking over land; it was also about creating a narrative to justify that takeover. Here's what you need to know:

• Core Idea: Imperialist powers used a mix of beliefs to legitimize their actions.
• Key Justifications: Social Darwinism, nationalism, the “civilizing mission,” and religious conversion.
• Impact: These justifications led to the subjugation of numerous cultures and the exploitation of resources.

#The “Why” Behind Imperialism

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Think of the justifications as a recipe:

1. Social Darwinism: The “survival of the fittest” applied to nations and races.
2. Nationalism: “Our nation is the best, so we should expand.”
3. Civilizing Mission: “We're helping these ‘uncivilized’ people.”
4. Religion: “Let’s convert them to our religion.”

These ingredients created a potent mix that fueled imperial expansion. Let's dive deeper into each one:

#Social Darwinism: The “Fittest” Conquer

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• Misapplication of Darwin: It took Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and twisted it to fit social hierarchies.
• Core Belief: The idea that some races and nations were naturally superior to others.
• Justification for Imperialism: It was seen as “natural” for stronger nations to dominate weaker ones.

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