How are Europeans presented in the poem "White Man's Burden?"

First, we must remember that Kipling's intended readers were American, not European. Kipling's poem was urging the United States to take up the "burden" of annexing the Philippines, recently won by the US in the war against Spain. But the "burden" of imperialism is one that had been undertaken by many European nations. Kipling views imperialists as possessing a superior culture and level of civilization compared to native peoples, who he characterizes as "half-devil and...

First, we must remember that Kipling's intended readers were American, not European. Kipling's poem was urging the United States to take up the "burden" of annexing the Philippines, recently won by the US in the war against Spain. But the "burden" of imperialism is one that had been undertaken by many European nations. Kipling views imperialists as possessing a superior culture and level of civilization compared to native peoples, who he characterizes as "half-devil and half child." He thinks that this confers upon Europeans and Americans the "burden" of bringing civilization to colonial peoples, whether they want it or not. They will build ports, roads, and "fill full the mouth of Famine," all of which, Kipling believes, will help the people of the Philippines. Kipling thinks, though, that the American imperialists will never appreciate the sacrifice. They will hate their benefactors, even trying to kill them. But Europeans and Americans, he believes should still take up the burden, if only to secure the esteem of other whites--the "judgment of your peers".