Changes in the western culture

The western culture has had its share in the progressive stages that have seen it evolve over the last 200 years.  These changes can be traced to have roots in Europe and Mediterranean. The main transformation periods that have greatly impacted on the western culture include the renaissance, reformation, industrial revolution, scientific revolution and the emergence of liberal democracy. This paper will discuss how identified factors within the Western Culture have changed over the last 200 years and the identity the most likely changes to occur within the next fifty years.

Industrial revolution                                          

The main feature of the industrial revolution was the replacement of manual labor with machinery in agriculture with the first tractor being invented by Benjamin Holt in 1904. There was also a turnaround in the source of energy with fossil fuels replacing the wind, water, and wood as was marked by the discovery of an internal combustion engine by Rudolf Diesel in early 1900. In the technological section: there was use of new raw materials mainly iron and steel; better energy sources such as coal, steam engine, fossil fuel, and electricity; new machines were developed that ensured increased production using less human energy; there was establishment of new factory system advocating for division of labor and specialization; the transport and communication systems advanced with steam engines, vehicles, airplane, telegraph, and radio (McLamb, 2011).

The second evolution was experienced between 1870 and 1914. During this period, the rail and telegraph lines were greatly expanded thereby allowing for increased mobility of people. The process of electrification that was achieved in in the 20^th century made it possible for enlarging the manufacturing capabilities to allow for mass production of goods. Supply of household electricity for consumer use was only achieved in 1920s and was improved with discovery of fluorescent lighting in 1939.

In all these developments processes, the environment will be at risk due to over-exploitation of non-renewable natural resources and pollution there creating irreversible climate changes (McLamb, 2011).

Gender roles

Changes in gender are mainly discussed in the plight of the women. Gender refers to the socially assigned duties and responsibilities to either men or women. This separation of power was considered almost sacred and important to support healthy marriage and society at large. Men had legal rights over their women and children (Casper & Bianchi, 2002). The patriarchy system was the common trait in gender roles in the 18th century. The 19th century saw women rights movement fight for women to be allowed to vote.

In the US, just like many other places all over the world, women had limited legal rights. They were never allowed to vote, not until 1920 when the law recognized them as full citizens who could be allowed to participate in civic roles. It can identified that women put a fight led by Margaret Sanger with regard to their reproductive rights to a point of forming an American Birth Control League in 1921. Up to 1930s, married women would only travel using their husbands’ passports. The women were always discriminated in job places and were rescued by the Civil Rights Act on 1964 that made discrimination in jobs an illegal practice. The amendment with regard to Title IX was made in 1973 and it made it illegal for practicing sexual discrimination in schools which saw the enrollment of women in professional schools increased (Dixon, 2011).

The trend in gender roles has seen women occupy offices even political posts. There have been a record number of women presidents and prime ministers taking charge of countries. Even in the US, a woman narrowly missed clinching the top most seats in the world. More laws will be put in place to create gender equality and bridge the gap that has for long existed between the two genders (Zosuls, et al., 2011).

Globalization                                                                                                             

Globalization in last century was marked by three major stages. The first episode started mid-19^th century and came to a halt with the World War I in 1914. The second episode was seen after the Second World War. The episodes of globalization experienced rapid trade and output growth. The war period marked halted the globalization process. In 1950-1973 the world total export increased by over 8% (WTO, 2008). Trade was then disrupted by the two oil price shocks and the inflation. Around 1990’s trade had regained its upward trend again. The European Integration was another important aspect that supports the intra-European trade. 1960’s were marked by increase in the prosperity of the newly industrialized economies from Asia which continued to continue immensely to the overall export with their share increasing for 2.4 to 9.7% in two decades (WTO, 2008). The dominant share of United State in international trade began to reduce in 1950s. Trade between US and Canada that constituted the Intra-North American trade was enhanced by the countries’ automotive agreement. Oil-exporting developing countries increased their output for 1973-1983 but were later affected by fall in prices. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1993 as well as the breakdown of Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was formed in 1994 but did not manage to stop the reducing trend in share of Canada and US goods in the international trade. Trade was more liberalized under the influence of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) (WTO, 2008).

The trans-Atlantic trade robbed the continent off its valuable resources regarding the able-bodied men and women. Colonialism instituted direct control over the African countries with no regard to ethnic, cultural, and linguistic aspects (Kwame, 2007). The overreliance of the western education created a distorted value system. The world is currently considered as a global village. In this global village, the western culture will continue to spread its tentacles of dominance over other cultures

Politics

Mid-19^th century was characterized by Europeans revolutions. These mere marked through a series of political upsets experienced in Europe, The unrest’s epicenter was by French Revolution before spreading out like cancer to the rest of the world. In the years on 1800s and early 1900s, mighty and powerful empires such as Spain, Ottoman, Turkey and Portugal and others began to experience unity issue thereby making it possible for their invasion and defeat. Under the Meiji restoration, Japan was experiencing a shift in its political and social components. Russia and China failed to keep up the pace of the developed nations due to social unrest experienced in these areas. Qing Dynasty of China faced weakening of military prowess due to increased international competition and rebellion. US expanded its territory to include Hawaii in 1898. In 1889, the tripartite convention was called for due to disagreement between US, German and Britain over the islands of Samoa. The scramble and partition of Africa took its roots in 1884-1885 to mark the beginning colonization.

The First World War in 1914 was triggered by the South Slav Campaign against Austrian rule in Bosnia. The powers of Europe reacted and formed Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente to enhance the security details for its members. In the 19th century, the Western experienced breakup of Eastern and Southeastern nations into smaller and rival empires. German through Otto Von Bismarck declared its interest in enhancing stability (McDoughal, 2015). The changing political arena likely to change with more nations entering into treaties not as an individual country but as regional blocks such as EU or NATO.

Nationalism                                                         

Nationalism relates the establishment of a nation. In the year 1804, Haiti engaged in a struggle that saw it declare its independence from France. In 1807, Napolean made changes in territories especially with the dissolution of Roman Empire and created the Rhine confederation. In the year 1830, under Giuseppe Mazzini, young Italy was constituted to form a single, free and independent nation. A Dual Monarchy between Austria and Hungary was formed in 1867 under the watchful eye of Francis Deak where nation agreed to maintain its own constitution and parliament. In the German, the Marxist created the Social Democratic Party that aimed to fight for the improved conditions for the working class. The Franco-Prussian war saw France under Napoleon surrender. In 1904 a war between Russia and Japan emerge where Japan was victorious. The 20^th century saw nation rise against each other and form alliances to engage in war. The World War took place from 1914 to 1918 while the World War II was fought in 1939 to 1945.

While the western civilization holds dreams of universal empire, it strongly abides by the nationalism principles (Hazony, 2016). This trend is not likely to change. Brexit is also an important landmark that is worth noting where Britain alienated itself from EU to maintain it nationalism. Countries will want to be integrated but maintain their autonomous nationalism.

References

Casper, L., & Bianchi, S. (2002). Continuity and Change in the American Family. Thousans Oaks: Sage.

Hazony, Y. (2016). Nationalism and the Future of Western Freedom. Retrieved from http://mosaicmagazine.com/essay/2016/09/nationalism-and-the-future-of-western-freedom/

Kwame, Y. (2007). The Impact of Globalization on African Culture.

McDoughal, W. (2015). 20th-Century International Relations.

McLam

b, E. (2011). The Ecological Impact of the Industrial Revolution. Retrieved from http://www.ecology.com/2011/09/18/ecological-impact-industrial-revolution/

Raikhan, S., Moldakhmet, M., & Ryskeldy, M. A. (2014). The Interaction of Globalization and Culture in the Modern World. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 8-12.

Zosuls, K., Miller, C., Ruble, D., Martin, C., & Fabes, R. (2011). Gender Development Research in Sex Roles: Historical Trends and Future Directions. Sex Roles, 826-842.