During the Age of Exploration, things were changing all around the world, changes that would later majorly affect the future. Cities and towns were flourishing, new economic systems were set up, and new regions were explored. The most significant development of the Age of Exploration would be the development of trade. By significant development, it means the one development that would make a difference, whether it be good or bad, and pave the road for humanity in the future. Trade was extremely significant because of the Columbian exchange, and the Atlantic slave trade, and how these two events affected future events.
The Columbian exchange was an exchange of pathogens, plants, and food products from one hemisphere to the other. After the new world, or the Americas, were found, trips leading to and from America became more and more common. Colonies established there meant that trade between these two hemispheres became frequent. Livestock, especially horses, and dangerous diseases were the more important some that made its way from Europe, Africa and Asia to the Americas. Horses proved to be a way of both transportation and labor, assisting in farming, and more. Smallpox, Influenza, Measles were just a few of the many diseases that entered America as well. These diseases killed millions of Native Americans, as they had no resistance developed against these diseases yet. From the Americas to the other half of the hemisphere were tomatoes, potatoes, con, and tobacco. Tobacco was extremely important in Europe, becoming one of their major crops grown, as it was increasingly popular. Tomatoes brought from the Americas became an important ingredient to Italian Cuisine. Potatoes, which were easy to grow, became a primary crop, the fifth most important crop grown worldwide. Corn helped China grow, along with becoming one of Africa’s most widely grown crops. The Atlantic Slave Trade changed the course of history forever. Cash crops were grown mostly in plantations and there were a shortage of labors. Because indentured servants were too expensive, and natives often rebelled or died easily due to diseases, they started shipping African slaves to the Americas and Europe. African slaves had low escaping possibilities, as they were not familiar with the land. At the same time, they also had high immunity to diseases, proving to be valuable workers. Ships would first bring European goods to Africa to exchange for slaves. Africans would be kidnapped from Africa, packed in tight ships, and brought to America. Around 10% to 20% of the slaves would die in the process. In America, a portion of the slaves would be sold, and then the remaining would be taken, along with American products, to Europe. This became known as the Triangular Trade. Because of Slave Trade, America developed quickly and became extremely rich. The African Diaspora, which was the spread of African culture, also happened. On the other hand, Africa was stripped of its resources and became very poor. Because of the Atlantic Slave Trade and the Columbian Exchange, trade proved to be the most significant development during the Age of Exploration. Without the development of trade, many pathogens, plants, animals, and slaves would have been limited to the country they originated from. American would not have developed so much without the help of the African slaves, and Africa might still have been rich, if their resources had not been exploited. The development of trade was extremely significant and changed history for better or worse. |
AuthorHi! I'm a freshman, and this is my blog for my World History Honors Class. Archives
May 2015
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