Question

Explain the concept of social Darwinism. How did this idea encourage European settlers to treat native Africans differently?

Answer 1

Answer:

Social Darwinism is the notion of survival of the fittest applied to social situations. It’s the idea that the strong will lead and the weaker will follow. Europeans applied this thinking to the African continent, which they viewed as less socially evolved than Europe. With this motivation, Europeans divided and conquered the African continent.

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Answer 2

Answer:

British settlements in the New World began as chartered colonies primarily for trade purposes and developed rapidly. However, many settlers came for social reasons as well, especially to seek religious freedom. In the beginning, governance was left to colonial assemblies. However, Britain became more involved in colonial affairs after it received Canada in the Treaty of Paris. In general, British settlers had little contact with American Indian groups, and early settlers tended to keep to themselves. Of Britain’s 13 original colonies, the northern colonies developed as early centers for manufacturing and trade, while the southern colonies developed as centers for agriculture. Slave labor was used extensively to work the tobacco and cotton fields. The French were motivated by exploration and trade. Their initial goal was to find a route to the Pacific Ocean. French traders established outposts in Canada and along the Mississippi River. Fur was greatly desired in Europe, and there was good money in the fur trade. French settlements grew slowly because their primary purpose was as trade outposts. Unlike the English colonies, which were comprised of various religions, the French colonies were Roman Catholic by law. The French settlers in Canada had very good relations with American Indians, perhaps because they were so reliant on them for the fur trade. French settlers often learned American Indian languages and customs. French holdings in the Caribbean were different; the French used massive amounts of slave labor to work the plantations. In Haiti, for example, slaves outnumbered white colonists eight to one.

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