While it's acknowledged that slavery and colonialism were profitable enterprises, what's often not taught is how the specific ideology of conservatism was systematically built to protect the profits and power of the elites who benefited most from these systems.

From the very beginning, conservative thought provided the intellectual framework to justify and maintain a global order built on forced labor and imperial domination.

The Intellectual Defense of Slavery 

The British and American conservative elites of the 18th and 19th centuries were not just passive beneficiaries of slavery; they were active intellectual defenders of it. They used conservative principles to argue against abolition and to justify the institution's brutality.

• "Order" and Social Hierarchy: A core conservative principle is the preservation of social order and hierarchy. Pro-slavery conservatives argued that slavery was a natural and necessary component of a well-ordered society. They claimed that Black people were inherently inferior and that their place was at the bottom of the social hierarchy, serving their white masters. They framed the institution not as an evil system of exploitation but as a paternalistic relationship that benefited both races by providing stability and discipline.

• Property Rights: The protection of property rights has always been a central tenet of conservatism. Slave owners and their political allies argued that slaves were property, and that any attempt to emancipate them was a violation of their fundamental right to own property. This argument was a powerful tool in political debates, as it framed the abolitionist movement not as a struggle for human rights, but as a radical attack on private property and the very foundations of a free market.

• The Fear of Chaos: Like their intellectual forefather Edmund Burke, many pro-slavery conservatives feared that emancipation would lead to social chaos, economic ruin, and a "race war." They argued that freeing the enslaved would unleash a dangerous, uneducated population that would disrupt the social order and destroy the Southern economy. This fear-mongering was used to justify the continuation of slavery and to vilify abolitionists as dangerous radicals.

The Conservative Elite's Role in Colonialism 

Conservatives played a leading role in the justification and administration of colonial empires, using the same principles they applied to slavery. They believed that empire was a civilizing force that brought order, religion, and economic progress to "backward" peoples, all while securing immense profits for the home country's elites.

• Financial and Political Gains: The East India Company, a private corporation that ruled much of India on behalf of the British government, was a bastion of conservative, aristocratic power. Its stock was owned by wealthy elites, and the profits it extracted from India—through taxes, trade monopolies, and the forced cultivation of cash crops—flowed directly into their hands. This system, known as the "drain of wealth," was a key source of aristocratic and commercial wealth in Britain. Conservative politicians and thinkers were staunch defenders of this system, arguing that it was a force for good.

• The "Paternalistic" Empire: British conservatives justified colonialism with a paternalistic ideology. They argued that the British Empire was a "burden" they had to bear—a moral duty to govern and "civilize" the natives. This narrative conveniently masked the brutal reality of colonial exploitation, including the forced labor, famines, and violent suppression of resistance. This ideology helped maintain popular support for empire at home while ensuring that the immense profits of colonialism—derived from the resources, markets, and labor of the colonies—continued to enrich the imperial elites.

• Maintaining the Global Hierarchy: The colonial project was a physical manifestation of the conservative belief in a natural social hierarchy. Just as they believed in a rigid class structure at home, they saw a racial hierarchy that placed Europeans at the top and colonized peoples at the bottom. This worldview provided a powerful justification for colonial rule, as it positioned the imperial power as the natural and rightful ruler of the "inferior" races.

The Legacy of Exploitation and Privilege

The wealth accumulated by conservative elites from slavery and colonialism was not just a historical footnote; it was a foundational element of their power that continues to shape our world.

• Inherited Wealth: Much of the inherited wealth of today's oldest and most powerful families in the U.S. and Europe has its roots in the profits of these systems. Plantations, mines, and colonial trading companies generated fortunes that were passed down through generations, creating a permanent class of elites.

• Political Power: The political power of these families and the institutions they controlled was built on this wealth. It allowed them to shape laws, fund political movements, and control public opinion, ensuring that the systems of exploitation that enriched them were maintained.

In conclusion, what's often overlooked is that conservatism was not just a passive observer of slavery and colonialism but an active intellectual and political participant. Its core principles of hierarchy, order, and the protection of property were used to provide a moral and philosophical justification for these brutal systems of exploitation, ensuring that the wealth and power of the aristocratic and political elites who profited from them were protected and solidified.