Therefore many non - western countries became suddenly exposed to Western values, customs, technology, and culture. Although racism did previously exist there can be no doubt that the presence of the British in India and Africa has a direct relationship to modern racism. White Europeans had, at best, a paternal attitude towards natives. Their way of life was seen as backward and less sophisticated than western society. Interest in native customs, religions and culture were restricted to a few scientists who were curious to find out information but unlikely to feel that there was anything to be learned from such an "inferior" culture. The attitude of the imperialists can be summed up by Lawrence Janes writing about the views of a British officer in India in 1808 "We do not intermarry with them, as the Portuguese did, nor do we ever mix with them in the common duties of social life on terms of equality" . He also quotes a camp follower in 1849 as saying "If a ball strikes me, and I am killed, you would say, "Oh never mind - it's only a black man." .
But how did so many countries come under the control of so few? The western countries had superior arms, training and equipment and could defeat much larger numbers than themselves being a supreme force in the world. Spiegel writes "The superiority of industrial era military technology was demonstrated in battles like that at Omduman in the Sudan" . Combined British forces in 1898 killed 11000 enemy soldiers while losing only 48 of their own. Mass killing in battle obviously had a great effect on the society and family structures. The imperialist forces often dealt harshly with any signs of rebellion, resulting in native people adopting a subserviant attitude. They had a strong belief in the superiority of their race and culture. The people that they controlled were also quickly impressed by the outward signs of affluence presented by western society.
