The impact of Westernization in today's world is visible in various facets of life in the countries of the American continent, Africa, Asia and Oceania, in which the process of European colonization took place from the 16th century on.
The process of Westernization of the world, also called Europeanization, Euroamericanization or Americanization, is the cultural assimilation that occurs in non-Western societies, which were or are under the influence of Western countries.
The impact or consequences of Westernization are evident in culture, language, ethnicity, religion, economy, architecture, literature, politics, customs, and values.
Here are the five most important global consequences of the westernization process.
1) Cultural
Colonialism and neocolonialism as an expression of the westernization process, caused a strong change in the cultural patterns of the native peoples of America and Oceania and to a lesser extent in Africa and Asia.
This process was not carried out in a peaceful and natural way, but was forced to facilitate indigenous exploitation and the use of found mineral resources (gold, silver, pearls, diamonds, etc.), in the American case.
On the other hand, in Indochina, with the French colonies in Vietnam and Cambodia, during the second half of the 19th century or on the African continent with the English and Portuguese colonies, they did not have the same impact as in America during the Conquest.
However, an exception should be made in the case of Hong Kong, which was under British administration from 1841 to 1997. This Chinese territory is the most westernized in Asia.
The cultural changes caused by westernization in the native peoples of America, manifested themselves in the abandonment or loss of elements of the autochthonous culture.
Also in the assimilation of customs and traditions, lifestyles, clothing, food, etc.
2) Ethnic
Another important consequence of Westernization was the ethnic-physiognomic change, which produced the process of miscegenation in America and Oceania.
A new race of men arose, born in the union of Europeans with indigenous and black Africans.
3) Linguistics
This is perhaps the most striking element in the westernization process, because in most of the conquered or colonized countries there was a drastic change in language.
Native languages were irreversibly replaced by Spanish, Portuguese, French or English in Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, Algeria, Gabon, Tunisia, Angola, Mozambique, to name just a few.
4) Religious
Catholicism and Protestantism as the maximum religious currents that accompanied the process of westernization, was what was first transmitted to the native peoples or host cultures.
However, during this process syncretism also occurred as an expression of miscegenation and the assimilation of religious beliefs.
Religion was fundamental in the process of Westernization, since it served to justify the process itself.
5) Economic
The indigenous collectivist production system, based on sustainable agriculture and livestock, was replaced by mercantilism, feudalism, and later by capitalism.
The European colonies in America and Africa were subjected to the exploitation of precious metals (gold, silver) and other metals such as copper, bronze, and tin, for commercial purposes.
References
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- The 'de-westernization' of the world. elpais.com
- What are the effects of Westernization. Consulted from quora.com
- Westernization. Consulted from esacademic.com
- Westernization. Consulted of enciclonet.com
- Westernization. Consulted from britannica.com
- The Idea of the West: Culture, Politics and History. Recovered from academia.edu