Columbian Exchange: The Spanish in America
Radley Faulknor
Prof. Markmann
History 251-01
24 January 2015
Considering Imperial Colonies Discussion Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Caribbean islands and Central America was one of the most important discoveries in the history of the world because it sparked an explorative, competitive fire within the hearts of Europeans. Not only did his journey take him to new uncharted waters, but it began an era in which Europe would begin to expand their empire 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to the Americas. Usually this would not be easy, and it was not, but the Europeans had several factors on their side that allowed them to conquer and settle the peoples and lands of the Americas. These factors included geography, improved technology, disease, and lastly difference of cultures. Geography and technology played a big role in Europe’s exploration because they were closer to the Americas than their Asian competitors, seeing that the Europeans only had to travel half the distance the Asians would have to travel to get to the Americas. Along with this is the fact that Atlantic Ocean was not as tumultuous as the Indian Ocean. The winds of the Atlantic, unlike those of the Indian Ocean, blew predictably in the same direction, making it easier to travel the Atlantic. Along with this, Europeans had the new and improved navigational technologies of the Asians that helped them to navigate the Atlantic winds. These technologies included rudders and compasses. When the Europeans arrived in the Americas, technology again played a huge role. When the Europeans arrived across the Atlantic they brought with them various technologies; the likes of which the Natives had never seen. These technologies included horses, weapons, armor, and animals which were new to the Native Americans. Because of the great difference of cultures, the primitives saw the Europeans as “gods,” and treated them with the greatest of hospitalities. This allowed for the Europeans to exploit them,
Prof. Markmann
History 251-01
24 January 2015
Considering Imperial Colonies Discussion Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Caribbean islands and Central America was one of the most important discoveries in the history of the world because it sparked an explorative, competitive fire within the hearts of Europeans. Not only did his journey take him to new uncharted waters, but it began an era in which Europe would begin to expand their empire 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to the Americas. Usually this would not be easy, and it was not, but the Europeans had several factors on their side that allowed them to conquer and settle the peoples and lands of the Americas. These factors included geography, improved technology, disease, and lastly difference of cultures. Geography and technology played a big role in Europe’s exploration because they were closer to the Americas than their Asian competitors, seeing that the Europeans only had to travel half the distance the Asians would have to travel to get to the Americas. Along with this is the fact that Atlantic Ocean was not as tumultuous as the Indian Ocean. The winds of the Atlantic, unlike those of the Indian Ocean, blew predictably in the same direction, making it easier to travel the Atlantic. Along with this, Europeans had the new and improved navigational technologies of the Asians that helped them to navigate the Atlantic winds. These technologies included rudders and compasses. When the Europeans arrived in the Americas, technology again played a huge role. When the Europeans arrived across the Atlantic they brought with them various technologies; the likes of which the Natives had never seen. These technologies included horses, weapons, armor, and animals which were new to the Native Americans. Because of the great difference of cultures, the primitives saw the Europeans as “gods,” and treated them with the greatest of hospitalities. This allowed for the Europeans to exploit them,