Why do we overlook the contributions of non-Western nations to the world's advancement?

Question

Why does world history class from elementary school through college only gives brief or no mention at all of the contributions of the non-western world to the progress of world civilization? Why do teachers and professors going on and on about the achievements of the Europeans after the Crusaders and Renaisance? What about the Chinese who invented gunpowder and originally used it in fireworks, but we now use today in firearms and other deadly machinary? What of the Moors, Arabs, and Ottomans who built modern day irrigation systems in desert areas and arid lands? Or how they preserved the writings of Ancient Greece and other forgotten texts while parts of Europe were trapped or struggling to escape the Dark Ages? And what about the Chinese strategist Sun Tzu who wrote a manual on using military strageties to defeat an opponent? Why have these and other contributions only been mentioned briefly? Is it true that history is truly written by the victor?

Answer 1

Good QUESTION

Answer 2

Not only is it written by the victor, it's also published by the victor. Take a minute to consider who is writing the history book you're studying. Was it written in China? I think not. Do you think that school boards across this country would allow their districts to purchase history books that did NOT laud the wonderfulness of "their own kind" ? ? ? Of course, if you go to another country, you'll find that the history books that THEY publish are very different. I'm certain that the French actually teach that they helped to win World Wars I and II. Part of a country's education is geared toward teaching its students not only facts but also patriotism. When you get older and have some free time, go to a library and study other cultures. They're fascinating, BUT they're not paying your school bills.

PS -- it IS nice living in a country which has libraries that allow you access to all sorts of stuff.

Answer 3

I would add to Carol-O's answer, (which was excellent and right on the money), that until you have lived in another's culture for an extended period of time, try not to judge your own too harshly.
You're basic premise of 'The victor writes the history' is fundamentally correct though. You can see this bit of history unfolding itself even as we speak in Japan. Japan is starting to distance themselves from some of the less tasteful events of their colonial past, but they are doing it too soon as there are still some alive who remember the realities. (As well as many recorded accounts of atrocities in China and Korea) This does not make the Japanese people evil...just human. I would suggest that you take all of life with a bit of healthy scepticism and you will find less disappointment and more wisdom. Good Question!

Answer 4

Interesting , If you were educated in this system that overlooks all these achievements how do you know about them. The education must have at least mentioned some or all of them so you could do your own research. Education is not just the retelling of facts but interesting the student to inquire on their own, something you obviously did, to your credit. It seems the system worked fine, it made you curious enough you educated yourself.

Answer 5

To a degree, yes, history is written by the victors. But, in my opinion, the education that i had received was very fair towards all cultures as to their achievements and contributions to modern society.

Answer 6

I don't know what school you went to, but my education was not discriminatory - I learned about all cultures in high school (including their achievements). In fact, I had an entire year of history devoted to the rest of the world, and a semester devoted to eastern cultures.
I don't know, maybe the public education system has changed since then - if so that is unfortunate.

Answer 7

They used to. I got those in school. But bear in mind, writers have piles of things to include and just like common term papers and test essays, you have to be selective at what you put in. Good stuff, even in movies, gets cut all the time. Mostly, though they've got some cute stuff they want to center on and don't leave room for the important stuff. But school boards pick and choose between books and give us that useless pablum. Sorryl

Answer 8

training immediately is in a sorry state. In different circumstances toddlers (generally boys) have been taught approximately those issues. immediately, interior the U. S., we've what we desire to call "no baby left in the back of". that's a euphemism to intend "enable's push them for the time of as straight away and economically as a threat" -- inspite of each and every thing, we actually do no longer desire them to learn a thank you to think of for themselves. as a result, enable's in basic terms instruct them issues they could could desire to appreciate later directly to proceed feeling that they stay interior the terrific united states the international has ever standard. no longer the rest seems interior the curriculum anymore.

Answer 9

I think you're wrong. The very fact that you mentioned these events in history shows that people are aware. I myself am aware as much as the educated world is aware. You might be a little short sighted in this matter. Please give more credit to the historians and those who take the time to study. Credit is always being givent to those who deserve it.

Answer 10

to understand western cilivizatio u have know where it came from and what it had proceed. and after u learn about crusaders and religions and colonizations of property then u can conclude why western civilization is the way it is. because everything connects with everything through time.

Answer 11

It is sad that it seems that the victor writes history.I agree with your question, specially the contributions of the Arabs.