Which of the following best describes 'White Man's Burden'?

The term 'White Man's Burden' is best understood as a belief in racial superiority. This concept emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly associated with the imperialist attitudes of Western powers during the age of colonialism. It originated from a poem by Rudyard Kipling, which framed colonialism as a noble enterprise, where the "white man" had the obligation to civilize and uplift non-Western peoples, often perceived as 'lesser' due to their different cultures and ways of life.

This belief justified imperialism by asserting that Western nations had a moral duty to impose their values, governance, and religions on other, so-called 'inferior' societies, thereby reflecting an inherent sense of racial superiority. The notion implied that Western civilization was the pinnacle of human achievement and that it was the responsibility of white Europeans and Americans to spread their perceived progress and enlightenment to the rest of the world.

Other concepts like economic exploitation, cultural preservation, and egalitarian assistance do not capture the essence of 'White Man’s Burden.' While imperial endeavors did often involve economic exploitation, that was not the primary sentiment behind the phrase; rather, it was the supposed altruistic motives tied to civilizing missions. Cultural preservation