Rise of the West

The European Age of Exploration changed many aspects of the world. For example, in the Americas and Spice Islands it caused the destruction of indigenous civilizations and the establishment of European colonies. In other parts such as South Asia and Africa it left native regimes united, but affected the local societies and regional trade patterns. During this time many people favored this European process. It didn't just expand world trade and allow the exchange of new crops and discoveries between the Old and the New Worlds.

Originally intending to find an eastwardly trade route to Asia, Columbus accidently discovered the Americas instead. When word of this “New World” reached Europe, it virtually started race between the Nations there to claim there own piece of it. Spain continued their exploration there and rapidly claimed many resources and lands, but one thing was hindering them. The native Populations of the New World were getting in their way. They soon initiated a campaign of systematic anhilation of the Natives.

Since the Ottoman Turks held this city and charged outrageous prices on goods, another route to Asia was sought out by the Europeans. Vasco De Gamma found a water route, around Africa, to get to Asia. But it was Christopher Columbus's choice in a water route to Asia that changed the world forever. Columbus sailed west, along the Atlantic, to get to Eastern Asia. However, Columbus did not know there was a HUGE landmass blocking him from Asia.

"Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points." History Learning Site. History Learning Site, n.d. Web. 08 May 2014. .

There was import demand on the companies and the rising export supply became too much for the natives to handle. In the rise of exports the supplies had to be shipped from Asia to the Americans. In the American land, where the majority of Europeans desired to sail to, the new sailors that came were not accepted as Americans, though none were truly considered Americans until later in the time of America. “The sea trade had multiplied by leaps and bounds” (Hale, John R.513). The route of trade was soon taken by Spain and some of the ships were entering to the new world.

Additionally, at this time in Europe, land and food were at a premium. The monarchs of the era were fully aware that the acquisition of more land, slave labor and possible natural resources would greatly increase their power, prestige and subsequent wealth. After learning of Columbus’ successful return and the Treaty of Tordesillas (which divided the New World between Spain and Portugal), King Henry VII of England threw his hat into the ring and sent John Cabot sailing from Bristol on an attempt to find a shorter route to the ‘Indies’. Not to be left out in ... ... middle of paper ... ...sperity in Europe, but in fact changed their entire way of life. Along with an exuberance of gold and silver, plants such as corn, tobacco, potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate, sugar, and myriad other fruits and vegetables were introduced into European diets.

History Learning. 2000-2013. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/about-the-author.htm. 30 01 2014.

The result, ultimately, was the United States of America. It was Columbus' discovery for Western Europe that led to the influx of ideas and people on which this nation was founded—and on which it still rests. Though Columbus has been blamed for enslaving the native people of the New World and starting the beginnings of the African slave trade, it is wrong to place these crimes squarely on the shoulders of Columbus. The forces of European expansion had been unleashed before him and were at his time quite beyond his control. He was simply a product of the times.

He originally set out to find the East Indies for many reasons. One was that he hoped to establish trade routes and colonies in order to gain wealth. Another was that there were now bigger guns that could be strapped on ships so he felt that his voyage had more of a chance of being successful. The main reasons for his exploration was that he wanted to find a western route to Asia to find the riches that Marco Polo talked about in his book. So basically he was not courageous, he was just greedy.

History Learning Site.uk, 2013. Web. 2 May 2014. Trueman, Chris. “The Crusades.” Historylearningsite.co.uk.