Eurocentrism

Douglas O’Connell

Globalization Through History

Section E

Bradshaw

Eurocentrism

Eurocentrism is the belief that Europe and Europeans are superior to the rest of the world and that everything has stemmed as a result of them. Since they were the first to modernize everyone followed their lead. There was a natural advantage that they originated with that helped them such as the environment, the poor soil stimulated innovation in agriculture. Thus stimulating technological advances to meet their needs, such as plows, and other agricultural equipment. The feudal system they had taught them about warfare and a form of government. And the overall scholarship they had in Europe also helped them to be superior than other civilizations. I agree with some of Mark’s ideas about Eurocentrism but not with other’s. There is obviously some influence that Europe has had on every other country in one way or another. It has forced many civilizations to modernize even if they were unwilling. The America’s certainly are a testament to that, they are the pinnacle of Eurocentrism. Some criticized Eurocentrism for exploiting colonies while expanding. Such as when the Spaniards came to the America’s they had the goal to trade with the natives, such as the Aztecs, for the goods that they wanted but when the natives had no interest in their goods they were forced into armed trading using violence to force them to trade with them. Sometimes even annihilating the civilization as Cortés did. One critique I have for Eurocentrism is that it is biased. Of course the Europeans are going to say that they are the reason for everything, that’s not a fair argument to make if its coming from a biased source. If there are no facts to completely back up the argument than it cant be considered a fact that everything in history has revolved around Europe.

The Rise of the West story pretty much mirrors everything that is described in Eurocentrism. They both emphasize the superiority of Western...