The Whiteman's Burden-Poster Analysis

The editorial cartoon "'The White Man's Burden' (Apologies to Rudyard Kipling)" shows John Bull (Great Britain) and Uncle Sam (U.S.) delivering people of the world to civilization. (Victor Gillam, Judge magazine, 1 April 1899)

1. White Man’s Burden

2. Imperialism Growth of slavery Men and Masculinity Anti-Black Racism Duty and sacrifice Sacrifices Stereotypes Brutality Superstition Oppression

3. Significance of the title “The White Man’s Burden” The prime interpretation of Kipling’s "The White Man's Burden" (1899) proposes that the "white race" is morally obligated to rule over the "non-white" people of the planet Earth, and to encourage their progress (economic, social, and cultural) by using colonialism which is based upon the Roman Catholic and Protestant missionaries displacing the culture and religions of the natives. The implication, of course, was that the Empire existed not for the benefit—economic or strategic or otherwise—of Britain, itself, but in order to help the primitive people who are incapable of self-government, with British guidance, eventually become civilized (and Christianized).

4. John Bull ( UK/England) The man before hiking before Uncle Sam is a national personification of the United Kingdom in general and England in particular, especially in political cartoons and similar graphic works. He is usually depicted as a stout, middle-aged, country-dwelling, jolly and matter-of-fact man. Uncle Sam ( America) The precise origin of the character is unclear, but a popular legend is that the name "Uncle Sam" was derived from Samuel Wilson, a meatpacker from Troy, New York who supplied rations for American soldiers during the War of 1812. Inscriptions on the Rocks : Oppression, Superstition, Ignorance, Slavery, Vice, Barbarism, Brutality, Cruelty- all of these depict the traits of The uncivilized non-white people who lack the taste and touch of civilization. top-left side of the picture : Both Uncle Sam and John Bull are trying their best to reach out for the light of civilization by carrying these heavy baskets full of uncultured beings.

5. Imperialism Imperialism is "the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by getting indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas. Labor of conquering nations Bloody battles to bring civilization Controlling attitude of the colonizers Indirect indication towards erasing out the native cultures.

6. Partition of Africa and Brutality Enforced official rules and informal propaganda Forced labor and brutality Repression of the rebellions Great role of Belgian King Leopold II in cutting off Congo Unbearable torture over the non-White people such as Africans, Asians etc.

7. More visual evidences of Racism

8. Anti-Black Racism American civil war arose deep anxieties about imminent slave war. Sensational accounts on alleged black atrocities were reported in the British press. Race connection with the labor class. Need for "benevolent guardianship" over alleged ex-slave' return to primitivism.

9. Men and Masculinity in “The White Man’s Burden” Racist and masculinist view of the role of men. Kipling attempts to motivate potential British Colonists according to his believing. Joseph Conrad's heart of darkness. Conrad's conception of masculinity as a result.

10. Duty- depiction in the poem Sudden realization of fulfilling duty Duty to make others civilized Zero-acceptance attitude towards others’ cultures. Redemption Encouragement of sacrificing for others Sacrifice- the ending of the poem

11. European powers such England, France and Germany believed that they were superior to all non-white groups of people, and believed they had a moral obligation to give them the “gift” of civilization. In short, “The White Man’s Burden” manifests an unraveled history of the extermination of the lost cultures and ethnicities by hoisting the sanguinary flag of the superiority, slavery and racism.

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