Unit 4 Individual Project
Spring 2013

Abstract
In this paper, you will understand the meaning and the interpretation of a quotation given from topics of cultural studies course book. This paper gives what the “loss of centeredness” of culture would have meant for a given cultural group, in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. This paper describes the Western and European cultures on Native Americans. It discusses what they were like prior to the late nineteenth century and how they changed as a result of European expansion. Last but not least, you will know how this change representative of what Sayre calls a “loss of centeredness.

The term “Western Civilization” in this context means European civilization, mainly for the countries known for their exploratory expeditions which include Spain, Portugal, France, and England. Cultures such as the Native Americans, West Africans, Indians, Chinese, and so many others were invaded and occupied by these European nations. They were killed, had to change their religion to Christianity, and were sent away from their homelands. The leaders were replaced by Europeans. They looked at these conquered lands as “satellites” of their home country and encouraged the people to act as much like them as they could, or at least seem as though they were in the same culture and work for them, go to their church, and learn their place as second class citizens. After all, they were looked upon as savages and uncivilized people who needed guidance.

The people inhabiting the areas of North America were the Native Americans. The Native Americans did not fare well with the early colonies and later the United States came in contact with them and began pushing them all away from the northeast to the west and south.
During the 19th century, Americans wanted to live peacefully with the Native Americans, but the