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In 1822, during the period of British imperialism and colonial expansion, the British often described themselves as “civilized” in comparison to the peoples and cultures they encountered in other parts of the world. This perception of superiority was deeply rooted in the context of the time and was used to justify their imperialistic endeavors.
Below is the map created by Edward Daniel Clarke, a famous English clergyman, naturalist, mineralogist, and traveler that shows the prevailing religion, the form of government, the state of civilization, and the population of each country at the beginning of 19 century.
Pink – savages, blue – barbarians, orange – half civilized, green – civilized, yellow – enlightened
The explanatory table of this world map provides the following information:
The summary estimate in a round number of Christian Population, distributed in various parts of the Globe in 1822.
Great Britain: Protestants – 11,500,000; Catholics – 5,500,000 (Total: 17,000,000)
In various parts comprehending Australia, Polynesia etc.: Protestants – 1,500,000; Catholics – 1,000,000 (Total: 2,500,000)
The inhabitants of Europe arranged according to the religion they profess.
Roman Catholics – 100,000,000
Protestants – 42,000,000
Greek Church – 32,000,000
Menonites – 240,000
Methodists – 190,000
Baptists – 170,000
Unitarians – 50,000
Presby – 2,500,000
Quakers – 40,000
Mahometans – 2,630,000
Jews – 2,060,000
Moravians – 40,000
This world map clearly shows how the British perception of the civility of other countries varied widely based on their colonial and diplomatic interactions, cultural biases, and the prevailing attitudes of the time. It’s essential to note once again that these views were often influenced by imperialistic motives and a sense of cultural superiority.
The British generally regarded other European nations, especially those with established monarchies or republican governments, as relatively civilized and on par with their own level of development. However, they still viewed themselves as more advanced in certain aspects, such as industrialization, naval power, and global influence.
The British had a hierarchical view of non-European nations. They considered some Asian and Middle Eastern societies, such as China, India, and Persia, as ancient civilizations with rich histories but often perceived them as stagnant or declining compared to the progressive British Empire.
Africa, at the time, was largely perceived through a lens of ignorance and prejudice. The British, like other European powers, tended to view African societies as primitive, uncivilized, and in need of Western influence to achieve progress and development.
The United States, following its independence from Britain, was seen as a young and promising nation. While the British held residual animosity towards the United States due to the recent War of 1812, they also acknowledged its potential for becoming a significant player on the world stage.
Many South American countries had gained independence from Spanish and Portuguese rule during the early 19th century. The British saw some of these newly independent nations as promising trading partners, but their opinions about their level of civilization varied, often influenced by the economic and political stability of each country.
You can learn more about the British Empire from the following books:
American map showing how they viewed different parts of the world to be either savage, barbarous, civilized or enlightened (1821)
Spiffing map
Why the hell is portugal half green? the most pro-british country in continental Europe…