day 3 summary

Conventional Approach

• Linear Progression

• Birth of Literacy

• Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, Voyages of Discovery

• Gradual secularism

• Depiction of European domination — Great Divide

The Great Divide/Divergence and its Fundamental Core

Rise of Europe in old Asian civilizations

1. Birth of Capitalism

2. Individualism

3. Profit Motive

What was the main reason that Europe won the Great Divide?

Old Asian was tied to religion and couldn’t adopt individualism and profit motive.

Modern Era

• Between French Revolution and WW2

• British wins French Rev. and Napoleonic wars → becomes 1st global superpower

• Start of Industrial Revolution

19th Century

• US, Germany, and France = largest challengers of British

• Start of Modern Capitalism, Individualism, and Profit motive in W. Europe

• ++Tech

Eurocentric Conception of the non-European World (2 points)

1. Ancient cities are ‘civilized’ but economically stagnant and politically retrogressive

2. Africa and most islands are illiterate, don’t have organized religions, lack political markers. Are viewed as ‘uncivilized’ and primitive

Pastoralism

A form of subsistence agriculture where communities raise livestock nomadically, dependent on seasonal rainfall.

Why Pastoralism is Seen as Retrogressive by Europeans

They’re not settled — through a conventional viewpoint, frontiers and protecting national entity is very important (eg. Berlin Conference)

Berlin Conference of 1884

A meeting where European powers divided African territories by drawing arbitrary borders, disregarding local populations.

Transhumane

A type of pastoralism involving regular migrations between seasonal pastures.

Agropastoralism

A mixed agricultural practice that combines raising livestock with crop cultivation.

Hunter Gatherers

Societies that rely on hunting, fishing, and gathering for subsistence, often viewed as primitive by Europeans.

• Practiced infanticide since children and elders were sometimes burdens while living nomadically.

• Cannibalism

• Gave rise to Europeans’ ‘violent’ perspective of Africa

La Mission Civilisatrice and Abolishment of Slave Trade

The European mission to 'civilize' indigenous populations through Western values and practices.

In the beginning of the 19th century, British abolished slave trade and Europeans became appalled of the continuation of slavery in the IOW. — feel justified for the Great Divide

DIY Guide to Colonialism!! ONLY 4 INGREDIENTS NO BORAX NO GLUE

1. Christianity

2. Educated

3. ‘Civilized’ values (eg. imposing colonial language on colonized countries)

4. Modern health system

4 Major Points of European Impact

1. Great Divide/Divergence

2. Europe switches from traditional → individualist, profit-motive economic development

3. By C19, W. Europe and N. America dominate world economically and politically

4. Africa viewed as barbaric — seen as no way to develop without European intervention

Indirect Rule

A colonial governance strategy that involves influencing local elites rather than direct control, often seen as more cost-effective.

Direct Rule

A colonial governance approach where colonial powers directly control and administer territories, often collaborating with local elites.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Western-style Government

1. Indirect Rule

2. or Direct Rule

3. Enforce colonial political frontiers

4. Promote development via taxation and white settlements

   1. Force to work for salary → establish stable workforce