🇺🇸ap us history review

Duty to civilize

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A justification for imperialism based on the belief that Western nations had a moral obligation to bring civilization, Christianity, and Western institutions to non-Western peoples.

AP course connection

Topic 7.2: 7.2 Imperialism: Debates

Unit 7

"Duty to civilize" also found in: