Final answer:
The history of development focuses on Europe/the West due to factors such as ancient Greek and Roman contributions, Western art history, and European dominance through various means like colonialism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The focus on Europe/the West in the history of development is due to a combination of factors. Firstly, the Greeks and Romans in southern Europe contributed to the development of ideas such as democracy and empire. Secondly, Western Europe, including Italy and France, played a significant role in shaping Western art history. Additionally, European dominance in history can be attributed to factors such as colonialism, slavery, and genocide, which expanded European territories and eradicated local expressions of indigenous cultures. It is important to note, however, that perspectives on world history are constantly evolving, and today Europe and North America have a less prominent role in global politics.
In reality, the roots of Western Civilization trace back to Mesopotamia and Egypt, where critical developments in technology, religion, engineering, and mathematics were originally conceived. As the world changes and non-European countries assert themselves more strongly, there is recognition that traditional Eurocentric histories may need to be revised to acknowledge global contributions more equitably and balance historical narratives, helping to avoid marginalization of non-European histories.