European Hegemony Essay Sample

Hegemony describes the subordination of some states by one state, which acts as the leader states through formation of a dominant government. The hegemon which can be viewed as the leader state rules a large geographical area through increased power over the other states. It also exerts a threat of force among member states, which leads to their insubordination under the line of the leader state. The European hegemony developed as a geopolitical predominance of Europe especially Germany over two continents. These continents, Asia and Africa, were also culturally dominated by Europe leading, to limited freedom to making political and cultural decisions. This was characterized by a manipulation of their system of values and determined morals of the society by the high class.
This hegemony lasted from 1492-1945 which was a long time of geopolitical and cultural predominance. During this time, Europe which was the imperial dominance dictated the internal politics and manner of government in the Asian and African states. It also influenced highly the societal character depicted by these states. This was possible through the use of both internal goverments within the subordinate states and goverments, which were installed externally to ensure sufficient manipulation. The European hegemony can be split in different times which had a difference in the manner of dominance made. There was the economic hegemony in Italy whioch was depicted by a control of woolen production leading, to dominant decisions within the market. This had a massive influence globally as woolen products were highly priced and valued within this time. The three unifiers in Japan then had their political hegemony within the 16th and 17th century.
Development of wind power in Germany led to its technological hegemony within the 18th century, during which it provided power for the subordinate countries. This insubordination had a high impact as most states were willing, to be politically inflyuenced by this leader states to ensure their supply of power. This diversified to an economic hegemony which was ruled by the ability of driven machines using the wind power for production and transportation. This was later wfollowed by the British Empire, which has been described as the largest hegemony in trhe world. This hegemony was characterized by political, cultural and domination of the military basis globaly.
The end of the European hegemony was highly contributed by the Second World War. This war was meant to offer Germany geographic control of both the African continent and Euroasia. They wanted direct control of these continents but ended up losing it by the end. This war led to its decline and the establishment of the USA, and USSR cold war to regain dominance form Europe. The global warfare led to a desctruction of most technological and cultural dominace as it was difficult for the states to improve their conditions.
Cultural hegemony within this period had been characterized by the control of language and information flow within the subordinate states. Europe had acquired this domination as most states developed its language, and relied on them for information transmission. This influence was highly caused by the availability of technological developments and power for transmission. It was, however, destroyed by the war leading to an end in its dominace. The fall of European dominace was a shoch in most of the states it dominated and the USA and USSR took advantage of this state of confussion to establish their hegemonies.