And before we judge them too harshly we must remember what ruthless and utter destruction our own species has wrought, not only upon animals such as the vanquished
bison and the dodo, but upon its own inferior races.
-H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds
This passage is from a science fiction story about an alien invasion of Earth that was written in 1898. What historical theme might create a strong emotional response in readers during that time?
A. The experience of world wars
B. The brutality of the experience of colonialism
C. The beginning of cloning experiments with animals
D. The tendency of religions of the time to judge others