Answer :
Answer:
European colonial empires contradicted the ideas of the Enlightenment of fair treatment of women and getting rid of slavery
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Final answer:
European colonial powers acted in direct contradiction to Enlightenment values, governing their colonies with authoritarian, militaristic, and extractive policies. They exploited and oppressed local populations, extracting resources for European benefit while promoting a hypocritical 'civilising mission'. The stark difference between democratic advancements in Europe and repressive colonial rule demonstrated a clear dichotomy between ideals and actions.
Explanation:
The European colonial powers contradicted the values of the Enlightenment through various actions and policies in their colonial territories. Despite the Enlightenment's emphasis on rationality, progress, and freedom, colonial administrations established in Africa, Asia, and beyond were authoritarian, militaristic, and extractive. These powers often justified their oppressive rule with a paternalistic ideology, harshly exploiting and subjugating local populations to secure resources for the economic benefit of European metropoles. Coercion was a hallmark of colonial rule, and the so-called 'civilising mission' thinly veiled the economic motivations behind colonial exploitation.
The colonization process frequently involved violent conquests, including systematic killings, forced resettlements, and enslavement, which flagrantly opposed Enlightenment ideals. Europeans imposed their rule with autocratic governance systems, forced labor, and extractive economic practices that benefited European economies but detrimentally affected colonized societies and their environments. The dual nature of European policies—promoting democratic values at home while practicing authoritarian rule in colonies—highlights a fundamental contradiction with the Enlightenment principles they purportedly espoused.