Which of the following did NOT contribute to the belief in national superiority during the era of imperialism?

Study for the U.S. History Imperialism Test. Review flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Cultural relativism emphasizes understanding and valuing other cultures on their own terms, rather than judging them based on the standards of one's own culture. This perspective stands in contrast to the ideas of national superiority that were prevalent during the era of imperialism. The belief in national superiority was often reinforced by ideologies that justified domination over other nations and peoples, such as Manifest Destiny, which promoted the idea that expansion across the Americas was both justified and ordained, and The White Man's Burden, which suggested that Western nations had a moral obligation to civilize supposedly "lesser" cultures. Additionally, Social Darwinism applied the concept of "survival of the fittest" to human societies, justifying imperialism by framing it as a natural order in which stronger nations were destined to dominate weaker ones. Therefore, cultural relativism does not align with the beliefs that contributed to national superiority during this period.

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