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The Columbian Exchange : The Impact Of The Columbian Exchange

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Over five hundred years ago, the world was holding its breath as a man stood on the shores of what, he thought, were the West Indies. He had sailed with the hope of acquiring riches and fame from Asia, but instead, was met with an island full of lush, green vegetation. This island was nothing like the cosmopolitan cities of Asia, with prospering trade and opportunities for the aspiring merchant. His calculations had been wrong and now he was in new territory that was not on any map. What this man had “discovered” was a diamond in the rough and would launch a period of globalization like never before. This Italian merchant’s name would be documented in the history books centuries after his death and the process of trade he initiated between Europe, Africa, and the Americas would come to bare his name: the Columbian Exchange. The impact that this exchanged had on the world would resonate for years after as new ideas, cultures, technologies, and diseases got shared. Not one civilization was spared and the changes that ensued were numerous. The Columbian Exchange would throw an active light on Europe on the global stage and devastate previously thriving native populations, but perhaps most prominent, it increased emphasis in the differences and importance of races. Prior to the Colombian Exchange, Europe had been in the background of the global stage. Asia had been the star player and was surrounded in riches, new technologies, and interacting cultures. With the Crusades, Europeans saw the, “backwardness” of their ways and decided to embark and participate in the new, exciting possibilities. A desire for riches, favorable weather patterns, competing rival empires, and new advances in marine technology - mapmaking, sailing, navigation, and ship design - gave Europeans an advantage over the Asians because they had more motivation. Asia already considered itself a wealthy state and saw no need to expand outwardly when everything needed was in their reach. With the Columbian Exchange, Europe was able to enter the global stage. Each new trading connection brought Europeans a new basin of resources to draw from. For instance, Spain’s newfound industry and quick monopolization of sugar greatly increased its trading

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