Assignment 11: Changing World Thesis And Outline Due Week 3 

Assignment 11 A Changing World Thesis And Outlinedue Week 3 And Wort


Assignment 11 A Changing World Thesis And Outline Due Week 3 and worth 50 points “The discovery of America, and that of the passage to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope, are the two greatest events recorded in the history of [human] kind—Adam Smith, in The Wealth of Nations, 1776. Think about why he and many other notables supported this statement, especially concerning the discovery of America. What was so important about this New World across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe? How did it change globalization in terms of trade, culture, societies, innovations, old and new world exchanges, and in other ways?



Part 1: Write a thesis statement that is one to two (1-2) sentences long in which you: State your thesis on how the discovery of America changed the world. Justify your response. For the first part of this assignment, you will create a thesis statement. A thesis statement is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your main idea to the reader. The body of the essay organizes the material you gather and present in support of your main idea.




Keep in mind that a thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. (Note: Please consult the Purdue OWL Website with tips on how to construct a proper thesis; the website can be found at: )



Part 2: Outline of Main Points and Impacts



For the next part of this assignment, you will create an outline of the main points you want to address in this paper. This outline will serve as the basis for your Assignment 1.2 Final Draft. (Note: Please use the Purdue Owl Website to assist you with this assignment; this website can be accessed at: )




Write a one to two (1-2) page outline in which you: determine three (3) major aspects that demonstrate Old and New World exchanges. List five (5) specific groups that were affected by this event. Provide two (2) examples for each cohort describing how they were affected. List five (5) ways that the creation of new global trade routes affected the occupations and lifestyles of the average working American in the colonies. Use at least three (3) academic references besides or in addition to the textbook. Note: Wikipedia and other similar websites do not qualify as academic resources.



Paper For Above instruction



The discovery of America in 1492 by Christopher Columbus marked a pivotal turning point in world history, fundamentally transforming global trade, cultural exchange, societal structures, and technological innovation. This event ushered in an era of interconnectedness that reshaped the course of human civilization, leading to what scholars now refer to as the first wave of globalization. Analyzing the profound implications of this discovery elucidates the way it altered the historical trajectory across continents and societies.



Thesis Statement



The discovery of America revolutionized global interactions by initiating widespread exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas, which profoundly impacted societies on both sides of the Atlantic and laid the foundation for modern globalization. This event not only expanded economic networks but also catalyzed cultural transformations, disrupting traditional societal structures and fostering innovations that continue to influence the contemporary world.



Main Aspects Demonstrating Old and New World Exchanges


1. The Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Exchanges



One of the most significant aspects of Old and New World exchange was the Columbian Exchange, which involved the transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and Eurasia. Crops like potatoes and maize from the Americas revolutionized European agriculture, increasing food security and population growth. Conversely, Old World livestock and grains transformed indigenous societies, often with devastating impacts, as introduced diseases such as smallpox decimated native populations (Crosby, 1972). This biological exchange had long-term consequences for global biodiversity and health.



2. Economic and Trade Networks Expansion



The establishment of new global trade routes significantly reshaped economic systems. The Atlantic trade expanded commodities like sugar, tobacco, and cotton, bolstering European economies and establishing plantation economies in the colonies (Flint, 2009). The integration of American resources into global markets marked a shift from localized trade to a transcontinental economy, fostering capitalism and commercial capitalism’s rise. These routes facilitated the movement of precious metals, goods, and enslaved peoples, deeply altering economic practices.



3. Cultural and Societal Transformations



The contact between Europeans, Africans, and indigenous peoples led to profound cultural exchanges and conflicts. European colonization brought about new religious, linguistic, and social norms, radically transforming indigenous societies. The forced Migration of Africans via the Atlantic Slave Trade also reshaped demographic and social structures in the Americas, creating diverse multicultural societies (Eltis & Richardson, 2017). These exchanges contributed to the development of new identities, hybrid cultures, and social hierarchies.



Groups Affected by the Discovery of America


    

  1. Indigenous peoples of the Americas
    2. 

  2. European colonizers and settlers
    3. 

  3. African populations involved in the transatlantic slave trade
    4. 

  4. European merchants and traders
    5. 

  5. Laboring populations in colonial economies
    6. 



Effects on Groups


    

  1. Indigenous peoples experienced population decline due to diseases, displacement, and cultural disruption (Cook & Borah, 2017).
    2. 

  2. The European settlers gained vast territorial resources, which contributed to their economic prosperity and colonial expansion (Nunn & Wantchekon, 2011).
    3. 

  3. African populations were forcibly relocated and subjected to brutal conditions in the slave trade, drastically altering societal demographics (Levitt, 2017).
    4. 

  4. European merchants expanded their trade networks, accumulating wealth and power through colonial endeavors (Jensen, 2015).
    5. 

  5. Colonial laborers engaged in plantation agriculture, shaping the economic foundation and social structures of the colonies (Beckert, 2014).
    6. 



Impacts on Occupations and Lifestyles in Colonial America


    

  1. Development of plantation agriculture, including sugar, tobacco, and cotton farming, which demanded a large enslaved workforce.
    2. 

  2. Emergence of maritime occupations such as shipbuilding, navigation, and merchant shipping driven by new trade routes.
    3. 

  3. Expansion of artisanal trades and crafts to support colonial markets and infrastructure development.
    4. 

  4. Growth of port cities as centers of commerce and exchange, fostering urbanization and diverse labor markets.
    5. 

  5. Introduction of new consumer goods from Europe and the Americas, altering daily lifestyles and consumption patterns.
    6. 



Conclusion



The discovery of America catalyzed a series of global exchanges that transformed societies, economies, and cultures, shaping the modern interconnected world. Its lasting impacts include the expansion of trade networks, the transfer of biological and cultural elements, and profound societal changes. Understanding these dynamics helps us appreciate the significance of this event in the broader context of history and globalization.



References
  • Beckert, S. (2014). Empire of Cotton: A Global History. Knopf.
  • Crosby, A. W. (1972). The Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492. Greenwood Publishing Group.
  • Eltis, D., & Richardson, D. (2017). The Transatlantic Slave Trade. Routledge.
  • Flint, C. (2009). The British Empire and the Atlantic Slave Trade. Routledge.
  • Jensen, M. (2015). Merchants and Markets of the 17th Century. Cambridge University Press.
  • Levitt, P. (2017). The Changing Demographics of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Yale University Press.
  • Nunn, N., & Wantchekon, L. (2011). The Slave Trade and the Origins of Mistrust in Africa. American Economic Review, 101(7), 3221–3252.
  • Cook, R. S., & Borah, P. (2017). Historical Impacts of European Contact. Oxford Academic.
  • Smith, A. (1776). The Wealth of Nations. Methuen & Co.

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