How did European states justify their colonial endeavours?

European states justified their colonial endeavours through the ideologies of civilising mission, economic gain, and strategic advantage.

The concept of the 'civilising mission' or 'white man's burden' was a significant justification for European colonialism. This ideology, rooted in a sense of racial and cultural superiority, posited that it was the duty of Europeans to 'civilise' the 'uncivilised' peoples of the world. This often involved the imposition of European cultural, religious, and social norms on colonised societies. For instance, France, under its 'mission civilisatrice', sought to assimilate its colonies into French culture and language. Similarly, Britain aimed to 'civilise' its colonies through the introduction of British institutions, laws, and education.

Economic gain was another major justification for colonial endeavours. The mercantilist policies of the 16th to 18th centuries, which emphasised the accumulation of wealth through trade, led European powers to establish colonies as sources of raw materials and markets for their goods. The Industrial Revolution further intensified this economic motivation, as the increased production capacity of European industries necessitated access to larger markets and more resources. For example, Britain's colonisation of India was largely driven by the desire to secure a market for British goods and a source of raw materials such as cotton.

Strategic advantage was also a key rationale for colonialism. European powers sought to establish colonies to secure strategic locations, protect trade routes, and establish military bases. The competition among European powers for global dominance further fuelled colonial expansion, as each power sought to outdo the others in terms of territorial acquisition. For instance, the 'Scramble for Africa' in the late 19th century was largely driven by strategic considerations, as European powers raced to secure territories in Africa to enhance their global standing.

In summary, European states justified their colonial endeavours through a combination of ideological, economic, and strategic motivations. These justifications, however, often masked the exploitative and oppressive nature of colonial rule, which had profound and lasting impacts on colonised societies.