Overview
Cultural imperialism is a concept that is not often considered when discussing common forms of imperialism. Shockingly, evidence of cultural imperialism can be seen almost everywhere in the world and is caused by common daily actions. This ignorance has caused the rapid change of cultures and lifestyles around the world and has not received the recognition it needs to be stopped. Cultural imperialism is defined as when one dominant culture fuses itself into another culture and creates ethnocentrism which is the tendency to view other cultures as weird based on the norms of ones society. One common overlooked cause of cultural imperialism is Hollywood. Originating as a small town motion picture, Hollywood rapidly taking over the world and changing life as we know it.
In 1872, Edward Muybridge created the first motion picture by taking a series of rapid photos and placing them together. As time progress motion pictures and toys were created and nickelodeons, short films, became accessible to the public by the 19th century. The first film was made in 1885 by a George Eastman and William H Walker and Hollywood developed from here. Warner Brothers Pictures, Paramount, RKO, 20th Century Fox each owned production sets and studios and began developing films around the world that emphasized leisure, luxury, and the growing party scene. By the 2000s only 2% of movies that come out in american theaters are foreign and most movies viewed throughout the world were American. In current time over half of the worlds population has viewed videos or movies produced in America or by American studios.
As Hollywood picked up production and viewers, the American leaders began using movies to portray the US as both a cultural and political umpire. Military movies made showing the US as the victims and the winners, political movies made showing the US as correct in judgement and final decision makers and lifestyle movies made showing US citizens as rich and glamorous are now viewed in North America, Africa, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, and Antartica. These Hollywood films are causing the new generations to have certain expectations about America and their home countries.
Hollywood is causing the steady erosion of local traditions and cultures. Normal cultural attire is changing to that which is viewed in movies. For example, American apparel can now be purchased in india along with typical cultural wear. Different religions are viewed as above one another in movies like My Big Fat Greek Wedding causing children to view their own religion differently. Movies also often promote danger and violence as many movie stars who are idolized fall to drugs and erotic behavior.
Cultural Imperialism, although often overlooked, is causing rapid change in our world. The Hollywood empire is one of many that has not received the attention or recognition as a factor in cultural alteration that it deserves.
In 1872, Edward Muybridge created the first motion picture by taking a series of rapid photos and placing them together. As time progress motion pictures and toys were created and nickelodeons, short films, became accessible to the public by the 19th century. The first film was made in 1885 by a George Eastman and William H Walker and Hollywood developed from here. Warner Brothers Pictures, Paramount, RKO, 20th Century Fox each owned production sets and studios and began developing films around the world that emphasized leisure, luxury, and the growing party scene. By the 2000s only 2% of movies that come out in american theaters are foreign and most movies viewed throughout the world were American. In current time over half of the worlds population has viewed videos or movies produced in America or by American studios.
As Hollywood picked up production and viewers, the American leaders began using movies to portray the US as both a cultural and political umpire. Military movies made showing the US as the victims and the winners, political movies made showing the US as correct in judgement and final decision makers and lifestyle movies made showing US citizens as rich and glamorous are now viewed in North America, Africa, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, and Antartica. These Hollywood films are causing the new generations to have certain expectations about America and their home countries.
Hollywood is causing the steady erosion of local traditions and cultures. Normal cultural attire is changing to that which is viewed in movies. For example, American apparel can now be purchased in india along with typical cultural wear. Different religions are viewed as above one another in movies like My Big Fat Greek Wedding causing children to view their own religion differently. Movies also often promote danger and violence as many movie stars who are idolized fall to drugs and erotic behavior.
Cultural Imperialism, although often overlooked, is causing rapid change in our world. The Hollywood empire is one of many that has not received the attention or recognition as a factor in cultural alteration that it deserves.