Impact Of Modernity In East Asia

In seventeenth century, Europe changed its “page” from Medieval time or Feudalism, in the other word – the period was considered as “dark” of European history to Enlightenment age when human reasons enmancipated people from the mould of religion, “modernity” apperance was its product after French Revolution in eighteenth century (Knowles 2008). At that time, idea of “Imperialism” lead European powers: France, Britain, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain expand their “modernity” to other parts of the World and Asia in general, East Asia in specific is a typical example. “Modernity” affected not only insitution and history of East Asia, but also society, some part of culture and politics. Nevetheless, “East Asia” is on “Asia” can not be “Europe”, with appoting European ideas, “modernity” in East Asia is not the same as the original term in some aspects for suitable society and tradition’s purpose. Modernity was constructed from the base “modern”. According Merriam-Webster dictionary, “modernity” is defined “based on or using the newest information, methods, or technology”. It referring that, “modernity” means “the new” that was different, changeable …show more content…
European powerful countries shaped the thought of the World division in two parts: “barbarian” or “savage” and “civilized” (Patterson 1997); Europe was “civilized” when others was “barbarian” – “uncivilized” and “undeveloped”. Consequently, European had to implement a mission of “civilization” bring their development to enlighted “savage” people. Asia became one of destination of European imperialist policies with the intention of expanding influence of “superioty”. East Asia – belong to Asian continent was also affected by European ideologies inspite of the fact that Japan was not be colonized or South Korea was an impact of the Cold War – belonging to US