Positive Impact Of Christopher Columbus

On October 14, 1492, Christopher Columbus founded the New World, sparking one of the biggest domino effects in history, and changing the world forever. Columbus 's expedition led to the discovery of the vast natural resources of America, such as precious metals, vast expansive woods, and nutrient rich soil perfect for growing crops and raising livestock. Whenever there are large quantities of resources found, it is not long before colonization follows. This spawned a period of competition for territory, resources, and colonization in the Americas. Columbus was not the first person to discover the Americas. Chinese merchants and Vikings had already been to the Americas, as well as the indigenous people who lived there. He was the first person

However, what he found was not the East Indies but instead the West Indies, discovering an abundance of natural resources and new land. Columbus had paved the way for the colonization of America, not only for the English but for the French, Spanish, and Portuguese as well. This led to the establishment of trans-Atlantic connections, such as the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and many other trade routes, most of which are still used today. The world now had the final piece to begin a full-scale global trading economy. With the establishment of this new trading option, the exchange of new plants and animals began. Crops such as corn, tomatoes, cotton, tobacco, and potatoes were previously unknown to Europeans. These soon became staple food supplements in the diet of most Europeans, so much that the collapse of the potato crops, The Great Irish Famine in Ireland, caused the population to fall by as much as 25%. Similarly, farm animals such as sheep, pigs, cattle, and horses were introduced into the Americas. The Native Americans’ introduction to horses led to them becoming a large part of their hunting culture. Native Americans would also trade animal fur skins to the Europeans for items like beads or bronze jewelry. Both sides of these trades believed they were getting the better end of the deal thus resulting in a

In this case, diseases were unknowingly exchanged with commodities causing harm to both parties. An epidemic of syphilis swept across Europe, while smallpox and measles wiped out masses of Native Americans. Disease was the leading cause in Native American deaths during the European colonization, killing off around 90% of the population. It was far deadlier than any musket or cannon. With most of the indigenous population crippled by disease, Europeans were able to easily conquer them and acquire new territories to expand westward. The second largest factor contributing to the conquest of the west was the difference between a musket and an arrow. The biggest difference between them was that an untrained gunman would be far more effective than an untrained bowman. Muskets could be mass produced and put into the hands of anyone and they could wield it with general ease. Within a century of Columbus 's arrival, Native Americans had almost gone