Why was the White Man's Burden written and what was was its purpose?
1 Answer
Rudyard Kipling was writing to encourage United States Imperialism in the Philippines (and elsewhere) as a positive force in the development of the World.
Explanation:
As a active commentator and exponent of British Imperialism, Kipling felt a similar roles should betaken up by the United States.
The poem was published in the McClure Magazine of February 1899 under the title: "The White Man's Burden: The United States and The Philippine Islands.
The United States had just taken colonial control of many former Spanish Colonies after the Spanish-American War.
Teddy Roosevelt liked the message of the poem and it had an appeal among Conservatives of the time. Anti-Imperialists disliked it considerably and found it inherently racist.
Kipling was an extraordinary writer in that his writing had appeal and insight even when his politics was disliked. As a voice of Conservatism at time he expressed it in its most appealing light.
