- 5,051
- Netherlands
Is also important to remember that this is in a state of flux on both sides.
We only have to go back a little over a hundred years to see the inverse. In a world ruled by empires, in comparative terms the Ottoman empire was significantly more progressive that the Western ones when it came to social care, womens rights and LBGT rights.
The Tanzimat started in 1839 and was way ahead of the European Empires and the US in a number of ways.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzimat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imaret
While it was still far from perfect, it does have to be viewed in contemporary terms.
Yes exactly! If you go further back people seem to forget that europeans (and thus "white americans") where considered barbarians for a long time by more advanced civilisations like the Persians (now middle east) etc.