Asia was a major theme of the Enlightenment era. During the eighteenth century, even remote parts of Asia were explored and opened up to the outside world. By around 1780, Europes educated classes were exceptionally well-informed about Asia. At that time, the continent was simultaneously demystified and better understood than in previous centuries. For a brief period, Arabs, Indians, Persians, and Chinese people became distant neighbors with whom a dialogue could be conducted, despite obvious communication barriers. Around 1800, however, this cosmopolitan outlook and scientific curiosity gave way to a new kind of arroganceone that persists to this day. It was then but a short step to the colonial subjugation of a continent that had lost its aura of mystery. This new edition includes an added afterword that critically examines the debate surrounding Eurocentric "Orientalism."
Author
Osterhammel, Jürgen
Title
Die Entzauberung Asiens
Details
3rd edition. Paperback. 572 pages.
Subtitle
Europa und die asiatischen Reiche im 18. Jahrhundert.
Verlag C. H. Beck oHG Wilhelmstr. 9 80801 München Deutschland
