A Re-evaluation of World History

Paper Summary:

The paper describes Marshall G.S. Hodgson as a non-conformist who sought to re-define the traditional scholarly interpretation of European history in a way that would place it within the true context of what was going on in the larger world. The paper discusses, for example, Hodgson's question as to why Europe is defined as a continent while India, which has essentially the same amount of linguistic, cultural and geographic diversity, is not defined as such. The paper does not approve of some of Hodgson's more strident rhetoric, but treats his work as a welcome corrective to chauvinistic depictions of the western world's historical narrative.

From the Paper:

"Hodgson's work begins by looking at Europe within a global context and it does an estimable job of showing just how our paradigmatic view that places Europe at the center of all things manifests itself in the maps our school children see before them every day in class - or at least have seen until quite recently. For instance, the author points out that there is no geographical reason why Europe should be defined as a continent while India, which has essentially the same amount of linguistic, cultural and geographic diversity, is not defined as such. In Hodgson's view, this smacks of Euro-centrism and he insists that Europe's "continent status" is intended to give it a priority and significance disproportionate to its size. In fact, he goes so far as to define the traditional "Mercator map" as presenting a "Jim Crow projection" inasmuch as it shows Europe as being larger than Africa. Hodgson's critique is a powerful and evocative one and it needs to be looked at more closely because of the damning charges it brings and the important issues it raises."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hodgson, Marshall G.S. Rethinking World History: Essays on Europe, Islam, and World History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.

More papers on A Re-evaluation of World History:

• Essay # 28044 : "The Way of the Warrior"
• Essay # 73451 : "The Mongols In World History"
• Research Paper # 51074 : "Westernization and Colonialism in the Global Society"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: