The excerpt from "The White Man's Burden" by Rudyard Kipling supports the conclusion that many citizens of imperial powers were convinced that imperialism was not a selfish policy. This can be inferred from the lines "Take up the White Man's burden" and "By all ye will or whisper, By all ye leave or do, The silent, sullen peoples Shall weigh your God and you."
1. The phrase "White Man's burden" suggests a sense of duty or responsibility that the white man is supposed to carry for the benefit of others, implying a belief in the moral superiority of the imperial powers.
2. The idea that the "silent, sullen peoples Shall weigh your God and you" indicates that the actions of the imperial powers are being observed and judged by the colonized peoples and even by a higher power, emphasizing the accountability and impact of imperialism on both parties.
Therefore, the excerpt implies that many citizens of imperial powers believed in the righteousness of their imperialist endeavors, viewing them as a mission to civilize and uplift the colonized peoples rather than a selfish pursuit.
