How did many Europeans feel was their duty to the backward people of the world?

Many Europeans in the 19th and early 20th centuries believed it was their duty to "civilize" what they termed the "backward" peoples of the world. This mindset was rooted in a sense of cultural superiority and the belief in the moral obligation to spread Western values, religion, and governance. This paternalistic attitude often justified Imperialism and colonialism, as Europeans thought they were helping these societies progress, despite the often devastating consequences of their actions. Such views were emblematic of the broader ideologies of colonialism and racial superiority prevalent during that era.