How did Europeans justify the subjugation of Africans and Natives?
White racial superiority, Bible, view of groups as “savages”
The subjugation of Africans and Natives by Europeans was justified using a variety of methods, some of which include:
1. Religious justifications: Many Europeans believed that their religion was the only true faith and that it was their God-given duty to spread it to other parts of the world. They saw the subjugation of Africans and Natives as a way of “civilizing” these people and bringing them into the fold of Christianity.
2. Racial justifications: Europeans believed that they were superior to Africans and Natives in terms of race, intelligence, and culture. They saw themselves as the “white man’s burden,” the civilizers of the “uncivilized” peoples of the world.
3. Economic justifications: Europeans viewed Africa and the Americas as sources of wealth that they could exploit for their own benefit. They saw the subjugation of Africans and Natives as a way of accessing these resources and making themselves rich.
4. Scientific justifications: Europeans believed that they were a more advanced and evolved people than Africans and Natives. They used science to justify their subjugation by claiming that Europeans were genetically superior to other races.
In summary, Europeans justified the subjugation of Africans and Natives through religious, racial, economic, and scientific justifications, all of which were rooted in a belief in European superiority and a desire for power and wealth.
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