HSY2601
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 12 MARCH 2026
, HSY2601 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026
DUE DATE: MARCH 16. 2026
Paragraph 1: Context
A Eurocentric approach means looking at history mainly from a European point of view.
For a long time, historians believed that the most important events of the 19th century
happened in Europe. They thought that ideas like democracy, industry, and nationalism
started in Europe and then spread to the rest of the world.1 This way of thinking shaped
how non-European societies were shown in history books. They were often described
as backward or uncivilized, and they were only talked about when Europeans came into
contact with them. During the 19th century, European countries like Britain, France,
Germany, and Belgium were building large empires in Africa and Asia. They wanted raw
materials and new markets for their goods.
1 HSY2601, Study Guide, Department of History (Pretoria: University of South Africa, 2026), 8.
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 12 MARCH 2026
, HSY2601 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026
DUE DATE: MARCH 16. 2026
Paragraph 1: Context
A Eurocentric approach means looking at history mainly from a European point of view.
For a long time, historians believed that the most important events of the 19th century
happened in Europe. They thought that ideas like democracy, industry, and nationalism
started in Europe and then spread to the rest of the world.1 This way of thinking shaped
how non-European societies were shown in history books. They were often described
as backward or uncivilized, and they were only talked about when Europeans came into
contact with them. During the 19th century, European countries like Britain, France,
Germany, and Belgium were building large empires in Africa and Asia. They wanted raw
materials and new markets for their goods.
1 HSY2601, Study Guide, Department of History (Pretoria: University of South Africa, 2026), 8.
