Effects Of European Expansion

1440 Words3 Pages

During early modern European expansion, many interactions took place between Africans, Asians, and Native Americans. Religion, politics, and economic desires were the motivation behind Europe’s desire to expand. Due to their advanced maritime technology and weaponry they were able to do so therefore leading to world globalization. This advanced technology that the Europeans possessed allowed them to take over and control the world’s trade routes, thus connecting various regions of the world that were previously isolated from one another. Growing intellectual curiosity about the outside world mainly sparked this period of expansion as well.
When the Portuguese began exploring the coast of West Africa for gold, their main goal was to become …show more content…

There was a high desire for tropical spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pepper. There spices were used as condiments and preservatives. Interest in Asian commerce increased after the Black Death since Europe was in stages of recovery. Europe 's population continued to grow, and Eastern goods became increasingly hard to acquire since the source of the supply for the goods lay in Muslim hands. The Europeans, specifically, the Portuguese wanted to find an alternate sea route where they could by pass both Venetian and Muslim intermediaries. There was also the issue of paying for eastern goods. Many Europeans were required to pay gold or silver for goods since most European products were less attractive in the Eastern …show more content…

The motivation for trade, money, and power had negative consequences. Millions and millions were murdered and enslaved in the name of European expansion and many died due to disease. Resources were pillaged and whole civilizations were destroyed. It could almost be described as more of a takeover than a expansion. Europeans wanted to conquer trade routes in the hopes of gaining economic power. Indeed, European interaction with Asia differed in that it was somewhat more peaceful. Unfortunately, Europeans enslaved and killed many Native Americans and Africans. While Europeans and Asians interaction was not always free from conflict, they had more of a mutual respect and use for each other. Before the 1500s, eastern trade was mainly dominated by Asia and the Silk Road. After Europeans expanded into Asia, they basically took control of their trade routes which in turn gave them the most power and influence when it came to global

Open Document