He impact of westernization in today's world it is visible in various facets of life in the countries of the American continent, Africa, Asia and Oceania, where the process of colonization European from the sixteenth century.
The process of westernization of the world, also called Europeanization, Euroamericanization or Americanization, is the cultural assimilation that occurs in non-Western societies, which were or are under the influence of Western countries.
The impact or consequences of Westernization are evident in culture, language, ethnicity, religion , the economy , architecture, literature, politics, customs and values .
Below are the five most important global consequences of the Westernization process.
1) Cultural
Colonialism and neocolonialism as an expression of the Westernization process, caused a strong change in the cultural patterns of the native peoples of America and Oceania and to a lesser extent in Africa and Asia.
This process was not carried out in a peaceful and natural way, but was forced to facilitate the indigenous exploitation and the exploitation of the mineral resources found (gold, silver, pearls, diamonds, etc.), in the American case.
On the other hand, in Indochina, with the French colonies in Vietnam and Cambodia, during the second half of the 19th century or on the African continent with the English and Portuguese colonies, they did not have the same impact as in America during the Conquest.
However, an exception should be made with the case of Hong Kong, which was under British administration from 1841 to 1997. This Chinese territory is the most westernized in Asia.
The cultural changes brought about by Westernization in the native peoples of America were manifested in the abandonment or loss of elements of the autochthonous culture.
Also in the assimilation of customs and traditions, lifestyles , dress, food, etc.
2) Ethnic
Another important consequence of Westernization was the ethnic-fission change, which produced the process of miscegenation in America and Oceania.
A new race of men emerged in the union of Europeans with indigenous and black Africans.
3) Linguistics
This is perhaps the most striking element in the Westernization process, because in most of the conquered or colonized countries there was a drastic change in language.
The native languages were replaced by Spanish, Portuguese, French or English irreversibly in Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Algeria, Gabon, Tunisia, Angola, Mozambique, to name just a few.
4) Religious
Catholicism and Protestantism as the main religious currents that accompanied the process of Westernization, was what was first transmitted to the native peoples or recipient cultures.
However, during this process the syncretism as an expression of miscegenation and the assimilation of religious beliefs.
Religion was fundamental in the Westernization process, since it served to justify the process itself.
5) Economic
The system of indigenous collectivist production, based on sustainable agriculture and livestock, was replaced by mercantilism, feudalism and later by the capitalism .
The European colonies in America and Africa were subjected to the exploitation of precious metals (gold, silver) and other metals such as copper, bronze, tin, for commercial purposes.
References
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- The Idea of the West: Culture, Politics and History. Recovered from academia.edu