On Monday, we focused on idealizations from both the “Rise of The West” and Eurocentrism. We learned how these terms falsely display Europe as a self-built nation who has always been above everyone else (in adherence to things like capitalism, industrialization, agriculture, etc…).

More specifically, these terms seem to continuously ignore the fact that they would not be where they are today if it weren’t for the exploitation of colonized people. This belief that Europe was a self built nation fails to recognize how many other cultures and traditions are woven into European culture. For instance, the decision made by China to use silver as the monetary system. Shortly after this decision, Europe came upon large amount of silver, which they then traded for large imports of Asian goods into their country. While this appropriation can be seen in any nation or state that inhabits colonized peoples, Europe seems to outweigh them all. In all, it is important to recognize the struggles of colonized people and how those struggles shaped the European nation of today.