Final answer:
Rudyard Kipling's 'The White Man's Burden' was written to urge America to take up imperial responsibilities and civilize other nations, coinciding with the U.S.'s acquisition of territories after the Spanish-American War. It reflected and propagated the imperialist belief in white superiority and the duty to civilize non-white societies, a view that was criticized but had its proponents among American leaders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Historical Context of 'The White Man's Burden'
The poem 'The White Man's Burden: The United States and The Philippine Islands' was written by British poet Rudyard Kipling in the 1890s. Kipling composed this work in the context of the United States acquiring new territories including the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Cuba as a result of the Spanish-American War. The historical motivation for Kipling writing and publishing this poem was to encourage the United States to embrace the responsibilities of imperialism, following the example of Britain and other European powers.
The poem reflected the imperialist mindset of the time, suggesting that it was the duty of 'superior' nations to civilize those deemed 'lesser.' Kipling's expression of these sentiments resonated with some, like Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge, who saw imperialism as a noble endeavor. However, the poem also faced criticism, as it posited a racial hierarchy and justified the subjugation of non-white peoples under the guise of civilization and progress.
Despite the controversial nature of its message, a belief genuinely held by some imperialists was that they were benefiting the societies they conquered by introducing them to Western civilization's concepts. This rationale served to mask more exploitative motives and laid the cultural groundwork for imperialism's acceptability in certain circles during the era.