Which ideology portrays non-Europeans as backward during colonialism?

The ideology that portrays non-Europeans as backward during colonialism is known as the civilizing mission. This concept was rooted in the belief that European powers had a responsibility to 'civilize' the peoples of colonized regions, whom they viewed as primitive or less developed. Proponents of the civilizing mission argued that Western civilization brought progress, education, and moral enlightenment to 'uncivilized' societies, framing their colonial exploits as noble and benevolent.

This ideology justified the colonial enterprise through a paternalistic lens, suggesting that foreign intervention was necessary for the improvement of non-European societies. It often marginalized local cultures and histories, asserting the superiority of European customs, values, and institutions. Thus, the civilizing mission served not only as a rationale for territorial expansion but also as a means to legitimize the socio-political dynamics of power established during colonial rule.