Influence of European Culture on Asia

This document discusses the influence of European culture on Asia, including the process of Westernization, the impact of Western imperialism, and the cultural similarities between Europe and Asia. It explores the early maritime influence, the European impact on Asia, the impact of Chinese culture on Europe, and the English landscape garden movement. It also discusses the influence of European culture on Asian countries like Israel, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Additionally, it delves into the concept of Western imperialism in Asia and the similarities between Asian and European cultures.

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TABLE OF CONTENT
Table of Content………………………………………………………………. 1
INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………….. 2
Early Maritime Influence……………………………………………………… 2
The European Impact…………………………………………………………...3
The impact of Chinese Culture on Europe and the English Landscape
Garden Movement………………………………………………………………3
European Culture Influence on Asian Culture………………………….……….4
Western Imperialism on Asia…………………………………………….…….. 5
Further Influence on Asia………………………………………………………. 6
Similarities between Europe and Asia………………………………………………..6
Existing relationship between Europe and Asia………………………………… 8
Themes of Cultural Similarity of Particular relevance between Europe and Asia…….10

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INTRODUCTION
The Asian oriental culture which basically means the culture of the eastern people of Asia
features different cultural characteristics from different nationalities, societies, and ethnic
groups in the region. An important feature of Asian culture is he relationship between
traditional cultures and the Western world.1
A lot of scholars have treated the subject of Westernization in Asia as a process that has
evolved over time in different stages and varying degrees with respect to location, internal
receptiveness, and the circumstances in which the encounter took place. One of the most
important factors which enabled the possibility of strong influence on Asia by the Europeans
was trade. In this vein, trade consists mainly of movement over, hundreds of years, of goods,
ideas, peoples between the Mediterranean, Bengal, and Southeastern Asian Waters.
Considering these factors, Western interaction with Southeast Asia can be organized into four
stages.1
Early Maritime Influence (1511 – 1670):
Initial contacts were made through Southeast Asian traders and the agency of Europeans. The
type of interaction here could be described as minimal in terms of cultural penetration but
some important exchange of technology and knowledge took place. At this time, the Spanish
and Portuguese were making headway into the region while the Portuguese were securing the
regional port of Malacca and the Spanish were securing the regional port of Cebu.
The Dutch also started activity in the Southeast Asian waters but trading networks and
powerful Muslim states wouldn’t let them dominate as they continued t thrive thereby
producing minor levels of exchange. In the 1550s Portuguese firearms contributed to the
reintegration of the Burmese kingdom but still on the Southeast Asian mainland, European
influence was marginal.
The Dutch’s penetration of the regional trade networks intensified by 1670, as they slowly
began to get involved in internal political issues of succession and power relations. In the
space of 1670-1820, in the second stage of accelerated influence of the Dutch, the main
Muslim kingdoms disintegrated and as the Dutch increased their influence in the island
interiors, regional trading networks fragmented.2 Also, during this period, the Spanish
increased their role in the Philippines and introduced the religious-political structures which
would become the foundation of their strong presence among the local communities there.
The mainland of Southeast Asia was left on its own while the islands of Southeast Asia were
beginning to be exposed to Western technology, religion, and economic pressures as the
spices and other natural resources of the island world continued to draw Europe's attention.

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The European Impact
Europe has had a huge impact on Asia over the years culturally and politically. These impacts
can hardly be covered and in this volume as there have been agricultural, administrative,
legal, military, public health, communicational,, religious, educational, sporting and industrial
developments which are largely due to the influence of the Europeans. Since all these cannot
be sufficiently covered, we may instead highlight a few contributions of Europeans to the art.
The Anglo-German painter who worked in India from 1783 to 1790, John Zoffany was simply
outstanding. Also the contributions of Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), who received the Nobel
Prize for literature cannot go unmentioned. The direct impact of Europe on Asia can be called
Westernization and this has been believed to be the bane of modernization in Asia.
Westernization o Europeanization in this part of the world can include fundamentalism,
protectionism or embrace to varying degrees. Asian countries such as Korea and China have
tried to isolate themselves from the influence of westernization but a sizable chunk of the
western culture has been adopted by them. A typical example of this is the introduction of
over 1,300 branches of the Western Food-Chain, McDonalds into China which ultimately
means how much the Asians have adopted the Western food. In Taiwan, the photography
industry has been greatly influenced by the Europeans.3
The impact of Chinese Culture on Europe and the English Landscape
Garden Movement
European travelers and tradesmen have been familiar with China since the 13th century but not
until the 17th century did the Chinese garden culture become greatly appreciated all over
Europe. The Chinese garden culture became a fashionable idea in the then popular feng-shui
garden creations. In 1687, the first authentic impressions of Chinese cultures came when
Chinese classics appeared in France and the first Chinese travelers arrived in England. Like
ancient Greek or Roe or Egypt, China appeared as a highly developed culture only that it
appeared as a living culture unlike those ones. Since the end of the 17th century, Chinese
philosophy has been approved of and became important in Europe. Chinese paintings,
porcelains and pottery were the most easily readable pieces of culture, with many admirable
pictures of natural forms, animals, plants and also landscapes and gardens.4

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EUROPEAN CULTURE INFLUENCE ON ASIAN CULTURE
The culture of Europe is strongly based on the values placed on art, architecture, music,
literature and philosophy, all of which originated from the European cultural region. There is
a varying number of perspectives which the subject can be looked at from. So it is quite
impossible to form a single, conclusive conception of the European culture. The western
culture has a set of principles that set it apart from other civilizations, these include scientific,,
literary, political, philosophical and artistic principles. The influence of the European culture
has come to apply to countries with strong historical ties with Europe from the 18th and 19th
centuries such as America, Australia and Asian.5
Westernization and its influence on Asian countries
Influence on Isreal: Isreal, in spite of its location in the Middle East south of Lebanon, it had
many Jewish immigrants from the USA and European countries. Isreal is often described as a
hybrid, a modern developed semi-western state and with time will become more westernized
than it already is.6
Influence of Japan and South Korea: Japan and south Korea both have democratic forms of
government, are major contributors to western science and technology, have free market
economic system, high standard of living. These are only testaments to their levels of
westernization and can be described as modern semi-western states. The photography
industry in Taiwan has also been influenced by the western idea of love. Bridal photos of
Taiwan nowadays provide a totally different thing from what was obtainable many years ago.
Couples now can display great physical affection placed in typical western settings to
complement the modernity.7
Korea had its first contact with westernization in the 17th century during the Choseon
Dynasty. The emperor then would send envoys to ambassadors to china where the western
missionaries were. Through this means, Korean ambassadors inadvertently adopted the
western culture. In the 19th century, Korea began sending ambassadors to other foreign
countries apart from Japan and China. Korea started adopting some western cultures but
would practice them with eastern principles.8
Japan got exposed to the idea of westernization through the Netherlands. The Dutch
transmitted Western know-how to the Japanese from the 17th century through to the mid-19th
century. Prior to this time, the Japanese had only allowed Dutch merchants into their trade
shores before US Navy Commodore Matthew Perry visited in 1852. After commodore Perry
visited, the western
Culture was gradually being accepted and westerners were even getting hired to teach western
customs and traditions to the Japanese during the Meiji era. A lot of Japanese politicians have
also supported bringing of the western culture into Japan using the term Datsu-A Ron. In
Datsu-A Ron, westernization was tagged an “unavoidable” but “fruitful” change. After the
World War II when Japan had surrendered to the USA and its allies, the westernization of
Japan got intense and till date, Japan remains one of the most westernized countries in Asia.

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However, despite all the improvements and advances Japan has made in industrial efficiency,
a strict culture of social hierarchy and limited individualization has been sustained. 9
Western Imperialism in Asia
Western imperialism in Asia pertains to the entry of Western European into what was called
the East Indies. The search for trade routes to China in the early 15th century sparked this off
and this led to the Age of Discovery and the introduction of modern early warfare into what
was known as the Far East then. By the early 16th century, the development of the Spice
Trade under colonialism and the Western European Influence were greatly expanded by The
Age of Sail. Throughout the six centuries of colonialism which formally ended with the
independence of the Portuguese Empire’s last colony East Timor in 2002, there has been a
presence of Western European colonial empires and imperialism. The concepts of nation and
the multinational state were introduced by these empires.10
The dominance of European culture, commerce and political power in Asia paved way for
growing market I commodities which is a key development in the rise of today's modern
world free market economy. The Portuguese broke the monopoly of trade which was held by
the Arabs and Italians in the 16th century with their discovery of the sear route to India
around the Cape of Good Hope and the Portuguese’s influence in Asia was eventually
gradually eclipsed with the rise of the Dutch East India Company. It was the Dutch forces that
first established independent bases in the East and then took Malacca, Ceylon, some southern
Indian Ports and the very lucrative Japan from the Portuguese. The English and French later
established a trade with China and settlements in India. Their own acquisitions would later
gradually surpass those of the Dutch. After the end of the Seven Years’ War in 1763, the
British eliminated French influence in India and established the British East India Company
as the most important political force on the Indian Subcontinent.11
In the mid-to-late 19th century, before the Industrial Revolution, demand for oriental goods
like tea, spices, porcelain remained the major factor responsible for European imperialism,
and (with the exception of British East India Company rule in India) the European stake in
Asia remained restricted in operations due to strategic outposts and trading stations necessary
to protect trade. The demand for Asian raw materials in Europe increased due to
Industrialisation and the severe Long Depression of the 1870s necessitated the need for new
markets for European industrial products and financial services in Africa, the Americas,
Eastern Europe, and especially in Asia. This need coincided with a new era in global colonial
expansion known as "the New Imperialism," and this brought about a shift from trade and
indirect rule to formal colonial control of vast overseas territories ruled as political extensions
of their mother countries. Before the beginning of the world war 1 in 1914, the established
colonial powers (the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands) in Asia added to their
empires more territories in the Middle East, the Subcontinent of India and South East Asia.
That same period, following the Meiji Restoration, the Empire of Japan quickly emerged as a
new imperial power in the Pacific Ocean area and in East Asia. Other empires which came to

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a rise include; the German Empire following the end of Franco-Pussian War in 1871; Tsarist
Russia; and the United States, following the Spanish–American War in 1898.12
World War 1 and World War II were indeed struggles among several key imperial powers
which were conflicts involving the European powers along with Russia and the emerging
American and Japanese powers. Of all the colonial powers present at the time, none of them
had the wherewithal to stand against the strains that came with the two wars and thus it was
difficult for them to maintain direct rule in Asia. Although the political independence of most
of all Asia’s remaining colonies was due to nationalist’s movements, the Cold War
intercepted decolonisation; and South East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and East Asia
remained subdued under a system of military, economic and financial in which the great
powers compete to widen their level of influence. The rapid post-war economic development
of India, the People’s Republic of China and the East Asian Tigers has lessened the amount of
influence Europe has on Asia. Also the collapse of the Soviet Union has lessened this
influence too thus generating speculation today about emergence of modern India and China
as potential superpowers.13
Similarities between Asian and European culture
1. Political systems: Europe and Asia have a deeply ingrained democratic culture. The
European has the world largest democracy while Asia is the world largest democracy.
Though Europe became an independent country (1776) far ahead of Asia (1947) but
both countries were former British colonies. Gandhi’s philosophy of civil
disobedience inspired many European visionaries.
2. Entrepreneurship: Both the countries love to take risks to create wealth and new
businesses. However, India's full potential has not yet been unleashed due to the
disastrous socialist policies from 1947-1992. Recent wealth creation that existed in
India was due to the Indian economy post 1992 was due to the opening up of the
Indian and these policies are likely to continue. Also, the US and India trade has been
increasing rapidly and the information technology between both countries are well
known.
3. Geopolitical interests: Both countries are nuclear capable and were victims of
terrorism born in Pakistan (New York 9/11 and Mumbai 26/11). Other key drivers of
this realignment are the rise of China, trade and the changing geopolitical landscape.14
FURTHER INFLUENCES ON ASIA
At the start of the nineteenth century, mainland Southeast Asia was conquered by the British
(Burma) and the French (Indochina) because of European political maneuvering and
competition and the promise of the Chinese Market. Mainland Southeast Asian communities
were slowly brought together to form new economic political and ideological shadows of the
empire with the establishment of colonial governments. As a result of military operations, the
interiors were less affected than the coastal sections and this left the people in the area and
their ways of life unaffected. The development of the telegraph, openings of the Suez Canal,
the improvements in steam technology brought about an intensification of western influence

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under high imperialism (1870-1942).14 The potential for capital from taxing of local
populations and the influence of new theories of European cultural superiority, Europeans
began to actively pursue and initiate programs which are specifically designed to colonize the
consciousness of ordinary Southeast Asians.15 This is as a result the constant change in the
world demand for natural resources. A consolidated view of the world which placed European
civilization at the peak of humanity’s development, self-justifying the role and the influences
that the Europeans had on indigenous peoples of the Southeast Asia was produced by the
colonial bureaucracies, churches, schools and other institutions. There were new standards of
language, health, authority and knowledge which were produced, professed and also dictated
that fundamentally questioned the role and place of indigenous belief and values. However,
colonialism would change the character of Westernization by restructuring the nature of this
global exchange through the reduction of local autonomy all over the region.16
The contribution of Southeast Asians to the shape of Westernization was not in any way
minimal. These people adapted, modified and also reshaped colonial influences to fit their
needs and concerns just as they had done for centuries through Sinicization, Indianization and
also Islamization. A particular body of knowledge was however produced by Colonialism and
symbols that were consciously and sometimes unintentionally adopted by indigenous elites so
as to improve the local power and prestige. Nationalism idea of Southeast Asia developed in
this manner through local innovation and appropriation of ideas either introduced in schools
or through the mechanics of the civil service.17 There were other contributions by the
Southeast Asia to the construction of what was Western and especially what was not by the
means of identifying and constructing elements of traditional Southeast Asian culture that
may stand independent of Western influence. Thailand for example, it monarchy actively
engaged European education, nation-building and popular culture so as to trans form itself
into a modern country based on European definitions. This was not formally colonized but it
initiated reforms that paralleled colonial legislation in British Burma, French Indochina and
Dutch Indonesia. In short, Westernization was as much a part of Southeast Asian regional
processes as it was an encounter between cultures.18
The nature of engagement was however continued in very much the same way in the
postcolonial Southeast Asia, though the colonial powers were no longer formally dictating the
nature of this exchange. Western technological and economic influences were continued to be
viewed by the Southeast Asians with interest in some cases and distrust in many others.
Although, Burma withdrew into itself and limited interaction with what was viewed as the
colonial west but it continued to adopt certain principles of European economic planning in
order to craft a locally sensitive state policy called the Burmese way to socialism.19 Burma’s
postcolonial history has viewed Western influences with considerable hesitation as a result of
its history of direct colonialism and the disruption of its most important cultural institutions.
The measures taken to de-Westernalise or decolonise the country have been taken and these
include changing the name back to its name before colonization, Myanmar. In another vein,
Thailand’s autonomous state since the days of high imperialism has left it more secure
culturally, with all of its institutions intact and less careful of influences of the West while

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sharing the same historical and cultural values as its Western neigbour, it has chosen to take a
distinct route from Burma.20
Existing relationship between Europe and Asia
One major obstacle that is standing in the way of enhanced understanding is the tendency to
deal with the cultural entity of Asia with regards to the strengthening of mutual understanding
of Europe and Asia. This has also prevented Europe from understanding the special
characteristics of the three major sub-regions of Asia (South, East and Southeast of Asia) and
other individual countries and areas. Nevertheless, the tremendous developments in Asian
countries demand a thorough knowledge of the differences and the idiosyncrasies of each
country, state or area from Europe.
However, Europe should be cognizance with the fact that Asian countries in all their
diversities have become global partners and thus are not an exotic and isolated part of the
world. It is even obvious that Asia developed faster than Europe perception of the region
could cope with.
European perceptions of Asia are still associated with exotic notions finding their reference in
nineteenth-century concepts and traditional stereotypes stemming from classical 'Orientalism'
and 'Indology'.
Many Asians now consider Europe to be a self-centered and inward looking country. They are
often confronted by the lack of knowledge and disinterest of Europeans in contemporary
Asian affairs and there is a kind of reluctance on the part of Europe to appreciate the
achievements made in their area. It is obvious that trade, investment, and intensified political
contacts will induce a deeper relationship between nations and individuals.
Focus and relevance of Europe-Asia relationships in the global context
To increase political, educational and political contacts and to also keep costs down, we must stick
to the idea of cultural rapprochement. European countries should work in a long term and joint
policy and one of the major things that should make up this policy is setting up of fully fledged
European centres where activities like academic, business and cultural are all geared towards the
promotion of European interests. These centres should be headed by European Asian researchers
or specialists in different fields. This should however be done on the basis of equity. The Asian
countries should also establish similar centres in Europe. These centres should also provide the
venue for joint research programmes (in cooperation with other European and Asian institutions
and individuals) on cultural similarity and diversity viewed from a global perspective.
Now let’s assume such an Asian centre were located in a European city like Zurich with
representatives from different Asian countries attached to it for a longer period of time. A centre
equipped with a multitude of different kinds of up-to-date information on all aspects of Asian life
and at the same time concentrating on the European way of doing business, carrying out research
on how to manage across cultures, and similar undertakings. Fully fledged integrated centres in
Asia should also function as initiators of all types of activities, as clearinghouses for massive

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fellowships programmes for Asian students, managers, researchers and artists in Europe; as
consultants for European and Asian companies who could initiate new business contacts and the
like. It goes without saying that these centres should not become or behave as the formalistic,
often somewhat disinterested, diplomatic representations we call embassies: nowadays this type of
international representation is not sufficient, - after all, important decisions are taken and big deals
are often made directly through telematic contacts between national governments. The activities of
our national embassies should be supportive and (complementary) to those of the European
centres.The only way to overcome the comparative disadvantage of Europe-Asia relationships vis-
à-vis Asia's other partners Japan and the US is by targeting contacts and activities, by introducing
highly qualified partnerships and focusing them on the most relevant areas of mutual interest and
benefit.
THEMES OF CULTURAL SIMILARITY OF PARTICULAR RELEVANCE BETWEEN
EUROPE AND ASIA
1. Mutual adjustment of the implementation of global agreements such as the WTO or of
international environmental agreements and the sharing of experiences with the domestic
adjustments to economic institutions, regulatory frameworks, and working practices in
both regions. An example of domestic adjustments of economic institutions in Asia would
be the transition of family enterprises into managerially organized businesses, whereas in
Europe there seems to be a need for companies to concentrate on core activities in order
to compete on a global scale. –
2. Mutual adjustment of the involvement in the global governance system and the sharing of
experiences with the domestic adjustments in conflict resolution, problem solving,
decision making, and state-civil society relations in both regions. Here I have in mind the
challenge of the role of the state, particularly in the area of welfare provision.
3. The new competition and cooperation in the global science and technology infrastructure
and the sharing of experiences with domestic adjustment of industrial organization and
technology systems to more sophisticated levels.
4. The exposure to global cultural trends and influences, the need to preserve cultural
diversity and the emerging (or re-emerging) of local cultural identities and practices.
5. A fifth theme concerns the educational implications of each of the themes just mentioned ,
i.e. improvement and adjustment of national education, research, and information
systems. In this respect we have to keep in mind the high degree of diversity of these
systems at the national level as they can be rooted in either authentic or hybrid
philosophical systems or founded on the basis of classical Greek and Confucian
principles. Another matter to keep in mind is the ongoing transition of Asian education
systems: (away from nation-building towards professionalism)23

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