Western civilization: Difference between revisions
Jim.henderson (talk | changes) →top: Fewer words make simpler, and Toynbee has been dead for decades |
Added that Latin America is disputed as well. It is sometimes considered its own civilization or a sub-civilization within the western umbrella. |
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[[File:Clash of Civilizations map.png|thumb|The World of Civilizations: Post-1990]] |
[[File:Clash of Civilizations map.png|thumb|The World of Civilizations: Post-1990]] |
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'''Western civilization''', '''western culture''' or '''the West''' is made up of European culturally derived societies (most notably in the Classical [[Roman Empire|Roman]] heritage,[[Western Christianity]] ([[Catholicism]] and [[Protestantism]]), [[Democracy]] and [[Liberalism]]). This at least includes [[Western Europe|Western]] and [[Central Europe]], |
'''Western civilization''', '''western culture''' or '''the West''' is made up of European culturally derived societies (most notably in the Classical [[Roman Empire|Roman]] heritage,[[Western Christianity]] ([[Catholicism]] and [[Protestantism]]), [[Democracy]] and [[Liberalism]]). This at least includes [[Western Europe|Western]] and [[Central Europe]], English speaking [[North America]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. The identities of places such as [[Latin America]], [[South Africa]], [[Israel]], the [[Philippines]] and [[Singapore]] being disputed due to those countries being a blend of both western and non western cultures. |
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Until the process of [[secularization]] in the west began with the [[Age of Enlightenment]] in the 17th century, Western civilization was also called [[Christendom]] meaning the area where the [[Christianity|Christian religion]] is in the majority (a view held by historian [[Arnold Toynbee]]).<ref>Toynbee, Arnold 1959. ''A study of history''. Volume XI—Historical Atlas and Gazetteer. Oxford University Press. Map, page 93 “Civilization current in AD 1952” – Western civilization is shown as including the Americas, Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.</ref> By this definition, most parts of [[Africa]] would now also be part of Western civilization since many Africans have been converted to Christianity since the 1950s. |
Until the process of [[secularization]] in the west began with the [[Age of Enlightenment]] in the 17th century, Western civilization was also called [[Christendom]] meaning the area where the [[Christianity|Christian religion]] is in the majority (a view held by historian [[Arnold Toynbee]]).<ref>Toynbee, Arnold 1959. ''A study of history''. Volume XI—Historical Atlas and Gazetteer. Oxford University Press. Map, page 93 “Civilization current in AD 1952” – Western civilization is shown as including the Americas, Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.</ref> By this definition, most parts of [[Africa]] would now also be part of Western civilization since many Africans have been converted to Christianity since the 1950s. |
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Revision as of 09:23, 25 August 2020
Western civilization, western culture or the West is made up of European culturally derived societies (most notably in the Classical Roman heritage,Western Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), Democracy and Liberalism). This at least includes Western and Central Europe, English speaking North America, Australia and New Zealand. The identities of places such as Latin America, South Africa, Israel, the Philippines and Singapore being disputed due to those countries being a blend of both western and non western cultures.
Until the process of secularization in the west began with the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th century, Western civilization was also called Christendom meaning the area where the Christian religion is in the majority (a view held by historian Arnold Toynbee).[1] By this definition, most parts of Africa would now also be part of Western civilization since many Africans have been converted to Christianity since the 1950s.
Westernization is the transformation of a non western culture to Western standards, with historical examples being the Romanization of "barbarian" europe in the classical period, the Hispanization of South America, Central America and the Philippines in the 1500s, the Anglicization of North America and Australia in the 1700s, the Francization of North and West Africa in the 1800s and the current Americanization of many first world nations such as Singapore and Israel through Hollywood/ American popular culture.
Though there are many supporters of westernization, there are also many people who oppose it it expanding at the expense of local cultures.
Related pages
References
- ↑ Toynbee, Arnold 1959. A study of history. Volume XI—Historical Atlas and Gazetteer. Oxford University Press. Map, page 93 “Civilization current in AD 1952” – Western civilization is shown as including the Americas, Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
