Imperialism: Josiah Strong And Rudyard Kipling

Many believe that it is the responsibility and God’s will that one country should dominate over another country or territories. This concept is known as imperialism. Josiah Strong and Rudyard Kipling were powerful men who supported imperialism. Strong was an American religious leader who argued that America was in a race with other countries to dominate the world. Kipling was an English journalist who wrote the famous poem, The White Man’s Burden, based upon the ideas of social Darwinism. How do people justify imperialism? Before one can completely answer this question, the meaning of imperialism must be clear. Webster defines imperialism as the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas. Throughout history, people have used a variety of reasons to justify imperialism. For Strong and Kipling,

those reasons were that business demanded it, it was the responsibility of the superior race, and God mandated it.
One area of imperialism justification is that business demanded it as demonstrated by both Strong and Kipling. As Americans increased business both here and in foreign countries, it became apparent that investments must be protected. Kipling’s call to “take up the white man’s burden—send forth the best ye breed” was encouraging men to send their sons to protect their interest in newly acquired lands. These lands had many resources and riches. Strong states that “America is to have the great preponderance of numbers and of wealth.” This translates to Strong saying that America needs to protect its’ financial interest. Both of these statements support the claim that business demanding imperialism is imperative for the survival of our country.
The second justification for imperialism is that of responsibility and is clearly supported by Kipling in his poem, The White Man’s Burden. Many believed that it was the duty of the superior race to civilize and protect the native people of their newly acquired lands. In Kipling’s poem, he repeatedly stated that the United States needs to “take up the white man’s burden.” After reading this statement throughout the poem, it appears that Kipling is saying that America needs to continue to support the Philippines, as well as any other country they inhabit or acquire in the future. If you rule a country, you must take on full responsibility for that country and its’ people. Kipling did not say that this endeavor would be easy. One is sure to encounter resistance and hostility. He encouraged them to be steadfast and strong. Responsibility is an obvious justification for imperialism.
The final justification for imperialism is that God mandated it as preached by Minister Josiah Strong.

Reverend Strong was a main proponent for imperialism and argued that America was in a race with other nations to dominate the world and acquire the resources the world had to offer. Strong was the type of person to believe that if you were not a Christian, then you were nothing. One could conclude that Strong was slightly racist and would justify anything and everything with God. In Strong’s eyes, if you did not take over other countries and obey God’s will, you would not be fulfilling His plan. Strong states, “It seems to me that God, with infinite wisdom and skill, is training the Anglo-Saxon race for an hour sure to come in the world’s future.” This statement was saying that God’s ultimate goal was to prepare the Christians to be in positions to assure that God’s word would inhabit all the lands. Based on this statement, it is clear that some people justified imperialism because they believed it was God’s

will.
Throughout history, people have used a variety of reasons to justify imperialism which include God mandated it, a duty of the superior race, and business demanded it. After reading the poem and the article, I can conclude that these three rationales are accurate. Strong clearly stated that imperialism was God’s will, and Kipling shared how it was a responsibility of the superior race. Both men provided information on how business was a factor in justifying imperialism. Although some opponents to imperialism believe it goes against the constitutional principle for the “consent to be governed.” Imperialism is all about dominating other countries to protect interests. I definitely think it applies to today’s society. It is important that we protect our interests in other countries. If we did not have trade with certain countries, our entire economy would be significantly altered and in some cases devastated. For example, we need to have resources, such as oil, readily available. What are you willing to pay for a gallon of gas—$2.09, $5.09, or maybe even $10.09? A current dilemma that proves business demands imperialism.