History as taught is an interpretation of events by the winners?

Question

I heard this somewhere, can't remember where. Anyway, the history of the world as we know it comes from those that won the battles and dominated. Our history is completely Eurocentric and doesn't take into account the important achievements or events of other cultures such as China, India or Islamic cultures.

I forgot of course to add Africa to my list of cultures. Not much is known about the history of Africa befor the Europeans. Were there ever great civilizations in mid and southern Africa thousands of years befor white man came there. Where did Zimbabwe the structure come from. Nobody yet knows.

Answer 1

I learnt the same thing in my high school history class and I think it's a really usefull thing to understand. It makes you a bit more objectional to the evidence presented!

Answer 2

History like you say, is always taken from the Victors point of view. All known civilised countries have always done this.
I'll only quote a few
Turkey ignores the Armenian holocaust for obvious reasons.
The U.S wrote their version of how the West was won, with no mention of infecting tribes of natives with Small Pox,
it just isn't included in their history.
Africa was known as the Dark Continent.
Dr Livingstone on his travels described Africa as being inhabited with uncivilised, suspicious & barbaric people.
Compared to the high society of England he was bound to find them a little basic, so did he really give them the chance to have their say on his observations?
Course not.
The only book I've ever read that didn't take sides or over play Victory believe it or not is the Bible.
No over-exaggeration, just Facts.
what do you know, Man isn't happy with that either & re-writes it to suit.
Clearly proving that even if the versions don't tally, in time The History they have documented will be treated as Fact.

If you would like to find out more about the history of China, look into Confucianism.
India the Hindu or the Sikkism faiths.
Islamic cultures refer to the Koran.
the history books maybe rigged But their religious teachings have always been the same.
& will give you an insight into day to day life in those counties.

Answer 3

Right now, there is a lot of concern in addressing the histories of these various places from a non-Eurocentric viewpoint. The problem isn't just that as the "victors" the west has had a slant on history making, but more significantly, some cultures do not record significant events in a medium that stays around.
To be honest, if you want to learn more about China, India, or Islamic cultures, you need to learn from their individual recorded histories. We know a LOT about these cultures but it's not generally taught in public schools or areas of history that are general and broad.
Africa, however, is different because their method of recording history has varied by the tribe, nation, or people. Ethnohistorians are going from tribe to tribe and recording folklore and creation myths that lead to various historical things from each culture.

In any case, I think that if you search for more information for each of these cultures, you'll find that as much (if not more) verifiable facts exist as we have for Western society, you just have to find it. A quarter of the world speaks Chinese, I think it's Eurocentric to assume that all history is in English.

Answer 4

I don't think you can cover it all.

You make a very good point. That is why objective people are always finding history to be inacurate.

I use to think that the pilgrims were the first settlers in the new world. Dominating New England would have it no other way.

Columbus discovered America? Wrong. But the Vinkings weren't to get credit. And everyone always new it was actually the Indians. But no one still wants to give them credit.

After several courses in American history, I never realized that the Russians siezed Berlin to end WWII in Europe. I only new of a Russian front because of the TV show, "Hogan's Heros."

Answer 5

Since you know the truth about history now is the time to decide. Swallow what your given and be happy, or research for your self the topics you want to know. Given the fact research is hard most people just swallow. I had the same thoughts as you about 18 years ago. I can tell you that you won't always like what you find and it is hard work, but worth it. Here's a good starter. Believe it or not Geo. Washington didn't chop down a cherry tree.

Answer 6

Yes, that is usually the case. However with the advancements that have been made in archaeological fields we are now finding out more truths, or at least coming up with different theories.
This leads me to hope that one day a true and totally objective account of historical events may become available, but I doubt it will happen in my lifetime.

Answer 7

The Winners by the sword also burn and destroy the literature, holy books, and art of the loser. That is one of the reasons We have little of the BCE literature, history books, holy books, and art of the loser. This kind of action is rampant throughout the Hebrew and Christian and Muslim risings to power and goes on even today as in the destruction of the Buddhas by the Taliban and even the destruction of Samhain decorations by Christian fundamentalists in the Southern United States..

To subjugate the people of a nation or a religion, you must destroy their literature,history books, holy books, and art. Then they must come to you for their anchor of belief and comfort.

Answer 8

absolutely - its quite common for the "winning" culture throughout history to erase a country's history and replace it with something more beneficial to them, thats part of life though because everyone wants to feel justified in waging a war, losing lives etc by making out that it was necessary and they are an improvement to what went before etc

Answer 9

I definetly agree. If you notice, in American History books, authors always try to make the Americans look great and not at fault. As will any other country teach their students studying the books about the advantages of their country.

Answer 10

A great book on this subject is "The Discoverers"by Daniel J Boorstein.You'll find the world is not so eurocentric as you think.