* European audiences, particularly in Britain and America. These were the nations most actively involved in colonial expansion at the time. Kipling aimed to persuade them that their imperial ambitions were not only justified but also a noble duty.
* The "white man" himself. Kipling addressed the poem directly to the European colonizer, appealing to his sense of responsibility and his desire to improve the lives of the "lesser" people they were governing.
Here are some possible responses from his intended audience:
Positive:
* Pride and a sense of duty: Many Europeans embraced the message of "civilizing" the world, seeing it as their God-given right and responsibility. They might have felt empowered and proud to be part of the "white man's burden."
* Justification for colonial actions: The poem provided a moral and even altruistic framework for colonial expansion, masking the exploitation and violence often inherent in imperialism.
* Confirmation of their superiority: The poem reinforced the belief in European racial and cultural superiority, which was widely accepted at the time.
Negative:
* Criticism of the poem's assumptions: Some might have questioned the poem's premise, finding the language of "burden" and "savage" condescending and dehumanizing.
* Skepticism about the motivations of colonialism: Others might have recognized that colonial expansion was driven by economic greed and power rather than genuine altruism.
* Awareness of the negative consequences of colonization: Some may have been aware of the devastation and oppression caused by colonialism and seen the poem as a dangerous justification for continued exploitation.
It's important to note that "The White Man's Burden" has been widely condemned for its racist and colonialist themes. While it may have appealed to some Europeans at the time, it is now seen as a deeply problematic poem that perpetuates harmful stereotypes and attitudes.