Cross Cultural World History Essay

For world history to genuinely work on a global scale what are the elements of cross-cultural world history?

Between the 1960s and the 1980s, an entirely new form of history developed. The previously, largely Eurocentric and nationalistic approach, limited the field of history in many ways. The aim of ‘new world history’ is to eradicate the subjective, narrow-minded projection of history through introducing this new concept of interconnected, cross-cultural history. This approach is concentrated on looking at the overlapping and linking of various systems and networks across different societies’ boarders; an approach that focuses on collective experiences rather than an individual ones. In order for a form of history like this to ‘genuinely’

It is through this that a more legitimate, relevant understanding of history can be generated.

In this essay, using the journal article ‘Hemispheric Integration, 500-1500 C.E.’ by Jerry H. Bentley, the fundamental elements of long-distance trade, religious and cultural interactions, and lastly biological dispersions will be explored, showing the profound impact that was made in the Eastern hemisphere on a social, political and economic level.

Arguably the most vital element of cross-cultural communication is long-distance trade. Trade between diverse nations not only provided the building blocks for a more hemispheric economy, but moreover, allowed for the spread of ideas and the development of technologies. Efficacy and efficiency became a priority, and hence the improvement of transport and the construction of transport routes (both maritime and overland) was prioritized. This was especially successful between the East Asian and Mediterranean regions, during the period between 500 and 1500 C.E.

In interactions (often through migrations or trade) with people of different beliefs and ways of life, many people started to question their own beliefs and identities, causing huge transformations in societies and often mass conversion. For example, the Alans (a northern Iranian Nomadic group), after defeating the Romans with the aid of the Huns, eventually converted to Adrian Christianity. Religion and culture also spread successfully through missionaries, such as Buddhist monks who pilgrimaged all over Asia in an effort to spread the now universalistic religion. Thus, it is evident that cross-cultural interactions were crucial in the development and spread of culture and religion, and that without looking at history in this globalized way, one would not be able to make adequate sense of the world and its current