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ISBN-10: 0-86543-369-0
ISBN-13: 9780865433694
Publisher: Africa World Press
Country:
Year: September 1992
Size: 13.97 x 21.34 x 1.52cm
Number of pages: 124
Weight: 295gr
Binding: Hardcover
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James M. Blaut
Africa World Press; 1993
Paperback
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Dr. James M. Blaut's book, 1492 – The Debate on Colonialism, Eurocenterism and History is a much-needed, thought-provoking addition to the analysis of world history. Blaut challenges the notion that the rest of the world was sleeping when Western Europe »burst forth« with technology, economic vigor and curiousity to explore and colonize other nations.
Instead, Blaut states that many countries and societies in Asia, Africa and some parts of the Americas were at the same socio-economic level as Western Europe prior to 1492. He also states that many of these countries were actively engaged in exploration and global trade relations. He poses 3 profound questions: 1) Why did Western Europe embark on its campaign of conquest and exploitation of Africa, Asia and the Americas at the time that it did? 2) Why did Western Europe choose to conquer these other societies rather than simply establish equal trade relations as was done by other countries? 3) What global situation was Western Europe responding to that led to the political decision to conquer other nations?
The slim volume not only provides Dr. Blaut's views but it includes perspectives from 5 other global historians and takes the form of a rich debate. Blaut's book has two omissions that could enrich this analysis. First, there is ample historical evidence that several West African nations such as Mali had active trade relations with the Americas as early as the 11th century. This fact can help fortify the point that many countires were at the same or higher socio-economic level as Western Europe.
Second, the role of the medieval Islamic empire is a critical element in the global geo-political and economic trends. It is my suspicion that the competitive pressure on Western Europe that engendered the Crusades, was also a major factor in Western Europe's decision to become a world conqueror rather than a world trader. This factor is yet to be explored.
For all truth seekers and persons with non-Western European roots, this book provides important validation for the significance of the rest of the world in the rise of capitalism and the modern era.
I eagerly await the next level of debate on this view of the New World and the New World View.
Blaut's »1492" is the quickest way to get «up to speed" on the issues of Eurocentrism and falsely reading history backwards. It thoughtfully and convincingly argues that Europe was no more advanced or likely to develop hegemony or capitalism in 1491 than many other areas. New World precious metals, extreme profitability of capital accumulation aided by depopulation from new diseases and Europe's weapons technology (terror and depopulation) was an accident of history resulting from relative ease of nautical proximity and conquest. The implications for rewriting and understanding world history, before 1492, and after are staggering and properly humbling for Eurocentric triumphalists claiming unique superiority from and for all times. Some 40% of the short book is critiques from other scholars two largely in support and two who differ. One may choose to read these or not. In any case there is an introduction to much of the key literature on the subject.It is a stumulating and thoughful work that should be familiar to anyone interested in European or World History.
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