How did religion justify European expansion in the eyes of colonists?

Religion justified European expansion by promoting the idea of a divine mandate to convert and civilise non-Christian peoples.

In the era of European expansion, religion played a significant role in justifying the colonisation of foreign lands and peoples. The concept of a divine mandate, or a mission from God, was often invoked to legitimise these actions. This was particularly prevalent in the Catholic nations of Spain and Portugal, where the Church held significant influence. The Papal Bull of 1493, for instance, granted Spain the right to conquer new lands in the name of Christianity. This was seen as a divine endorsement of their colonial endeavours.

The idea of the 'White Man's Burden' was another religiously-infused concept that justified European expansion. This was the belief that Europeans had a moral and religious duty to bring civilisation and Christianity to the 'heathen' peoples of the world. This concept was particularly prevalent in the Protestant nations of Northern Europe, such as Britain and the Netherlands. It was used to justify not only the colonisation of foreign lands, but also the often brutal treatment of indigenous peoples.

Religion also provided a moral framework that made the often brutal realities of colonial expansion more palatable to the European public. The conversion of indigenous peoples to Christianity was often portrayed as a benevolent act, a gift of civilisation and moral enlightenment. This narrative helped to mask the violence and exploitation that often accompanied colonial expansion.

Moreover, religious institutions often played a direct role in colonial expansion. Religious orders such as the Jesuits were at the forefront of the colonisation of the New World, establishing missions and converting indigenous peoples. These religious orders often acted as the vanguard of colonial expansion, paving the way for the arrival of secular colonists.

In conclusion, religion provided a powerful justification for European expansion. It offered a divine mandate for the colonisation of foreign lands, a moral duty to civilise non-Christian peoples, and a narrative that masked the often brutal realities of colonial expansion.