Themes Of Before European Hegemony

The main themes of Before European Hegemony revolve around the many aspects of trade, disastrous events, and the many pivotal events and advancements which changed the course of the many rival nations within the era preceding total European dominance. Before European hegemony is a very thorough book, providing insights into the inner workings of several empires in the thirteenth century.The theme of missteps and misfortune among these earlier nations enables Abu-Lughod’s idea of European dominance with the thirteenth century to be solidified and supplemented with validity, with Abu-Lughod providing a flowing narrative of historical events which permitted Europe to take its place as . Abu-Lughod investigations and observations into the economics

Where Asia or more specifically the Chinese had an abundance in resources and a vast network of merchants, the structures which secured their society faltered in the face of adversity. Abu-Lughod’s central premise runs counter to the popular idea of Europeans becoming the de facto world power by the age of colonization or the sixteenth century, where it . The overarching historical themes in Abu-Lughod’s Before European Hegemony are the prevalence of economic trade, the culture and society which existed within these nations, and the events which shifted the necessary influence to tip the balance of power in favor of Europe’s nations.

The theme of trade being the cornerstone of the then sovereign powers is discussed and detailed by Abu-Lughod, often citing instances of where it became absent or or less maintained being the signs of weakened and vulnerable nation. The trading which occurred within the Middle East often offered several connections to Asia, with many routes allowing for the region to experience economic prosperity equal to that of Europe and Asia. The Middle East saw much in the way of conflict from the Mongols, where the system which was installed possessed many inherent flaws. Abu-Lughod cities with their

The regions of the Middle East and China experienced many shortcomings and lost much in the areas of stability, security, and influence. The culture and society of Asia was moreover sewn together by the Mongols’ conquest and with this new empire and the nations which were under its reign were subject its many failing and critical flaws (Abu-Lughod 207). While much infamy and fear surrounded this vast Asian empire, its rule for time it had existed provided stability and set up routes towards other regions of the world, enabling the flow of international commerce. The lasting societal effects of the Mongol empire however, meant as the reign of the Mongol empire waned and dwindled, Asia in its entirety had become isolated and cut off from the much needed commerce and capital it needed to remain as capable competitor in international markets. The society of China suffered especially, having relied on the Mongol empire’s stability as its position as practically a protectorate, this massive nation’s position, influence, and wealth plummeted (Abu-Lughod 211). The stability of the society of the Middle East was affected by several aspects which made trade and commerce less viable, where Islam allowed much in the way of progress in the thirteenth and fourteenth