Loss of centeredness in cultural groups
Not what you're looking for?
In the later nineteenth and early twentieth century, what would a "loss of centeredness" of culture have meant for a given cultural group? I have to select one non-Western cultural groups (such as Native American, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, or African) and research the impact of Western or European cultures on one of these groups, and describe what it was like prior to the late nineteenth century. I have to note how it changed as a result of European expansion, and explain whether it was representative of what Sayre calls a "loss of centeredness." Can you help me with this task?
Here is the following quotation to assist with this task: "The confrontation of Western civilization with other peoples whose values were often dramatically opposed to the West's...suggests that by the dawn of the twentieth century, the tradition and sense of centeredness that had defined indigenous cultures for hundreds, even thousands, of years was either threatened or in the process of being destroyed. Worldwide, non-Western cultures suddenly found that they were defined as outposts of new colonial empires developed by Europeans, resulting in the weakening of traditional cultural practices, political leadership, and social systems that had been in place for centuries" (Sayre, 2013, pp. 410-411).
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
This 827 word solution focuses on the social affects of European colonialism on Nigerian centeredness. It includes a complete list of five references sources for further investigation of the topic.
Solution Preview
Through my own area of expertise, and the lack of specification as to which area you wanted to focus on, I chose to select a country within Africa to focus on in regards to this quote.
I think it's easily understood that, once Europeans began the colonization process, the world changed in many ways, and the longstanding traditions of millions of people around the world began to be seen as inferior and/or secondary to that of the European.
In regards to Africa, which is a continent, not a "group", like the others listed as possible choices, it was at the end of the 19th century that the biggest changes began.
In 1884, a conference was held in Berlin with several major European powers, including representatives of Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden-Norway (union until 1905), and the Ottoman Empire. It was at this historic conference that these representatives began what was known as the 'Scramble for Africa', and "carved it up," agreeing with each other which vast areas of land would become the possession of which European country. Again, it was a room full of European men who decided which countries would have the right to pursue and/or control various parts of Africa. No representatives of Africa were present, and this began ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Native American Removal
This quiz covers the history surrounding the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
US World History Test II
Major Events from 1452 to 1877
CoViD-19 and Historic Pandemics
How much do you know about CoViD-19 and how it compares to historic pandemics? Test your knowledge with this short quiz!
America Fighting for Good - World War II : 1940 - 1945
The quiz will test your knowledge of America and its role in World War II - how it avoided the war, got involved and emerged as a world power and forever losing its isolationist policy.
Ancient Ghana
This quiz tests students' knowledge about the ancient kingdom of Ghana (Africa).