The Age of Exploration in Europe

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During the fifteenth century Europeans busted onto the world scene. It began with the search for spices and Christians. Vasco da Gama set sail southward along the West African coast for the spice trade. He thought that others would soon adapt this trade and follow behind him. Christopher Columbus set sail towards America while Vasco da Gama went towards the Indian Ocean. Following this a large amount of European states came into the picture. They had created a widely complex global trade network. This was under the control by Western ships and Western power that delivered food-stuffs, textile goods, spices, and minerals from one end to the other.

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. However, it also brings upon the message of Jesus to many irreligious people around the world. Due to the expansion of the European trade some countries were eliminated from the spice trade.

When Europeans invaded Asia they reproduced many of the physical surroundings of their homeland. The city became commercialized and extremely financial. It was the chief port for the ships which brought in the spices of the East to Europe. For those who lived on or nearby the coast of Africa the European exploration had a great affect. As the trade in slaves increased during the sixteenth through eighteenth century, about a million people were taken out of their homes and deported to plantations in the New World. The arrival of the Europeans also affected the conquerors and the conquered. Ancient social and political structures were tore apart and replaced with European institutions, religion, language, and culture.

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