La Mission Civilisatrice

La Mission Civilisatrice, or "The Civilizing Mission," refers to the 19th-century ideology used by European powers, especially France, to justify colonization. It suggested that Western nations had a duty to bring "civilization," including culture, religion, and governance, to what they deemed "uncivilized" societies. This concept often masked the exploitation and control of colonized peoples and resources. Advocates believed they were promoting progress and enlightenment, but in reality, it frequently led to oppression and loss of indigenous identities. The term captures the contradictions of colonialism: the intention of benevolence juxtaposed with the reality of domination.