Assignment 12: A Changing World Final Paper Due Week 5 And W ✓ Solved

Assignment 12 A Changing World Final Paperdue Week 5 And Worth 140 P

The discovery of America and that of the passage to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope are considered two of the greatest events in human history, profoundly impacting global development. This paper explores why this statement by Adam Smith highlights the significance of these discoveries, especially the New World across the Atlantic. It examines how this event revolutionized globalization, influencing trade, culture, societies, innovations, and exchanges between the Old and New Worlds. The discussion integrates three main points that demonstrate these exchanges, with specific examples. Additionally, three groups impacted by this global event are identified, with two examples for each illustrating the effects. Finally, the paper summarizes how this discovery affected the daily lives of average working Americans during the colonial period, supported by at least three academic references beyond the textbook, following Strayer Writing Standards (SWS).

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The European discovery of the Americas in 1492 marked a pivotal turning point in world history, initiating a period of intense global exchange that reshaped societies, economies, and cultures across continents. According to Adam Smith, this event ranks among the most significant in human civilization, mainly because it opened avenues for extensive exchange and interaction between previously isolated parts of the world. The subsequent exploration, colonization, and trade expansion fundamentally altered global dynamics, fostering globalization in its modern form. This essay explores three critical aspects of these exchanges, the groups affected by the discovery, and the impact on the everyday lives of Americans during colonial times.

Old and New World Exchanges: Major Aspects

The transatlantic discovery facilitated a profound exchange of goods, cultures, and biological entities, exemplified through the Columbian Exchange. One primary aspect was the exchange of commodities such as crops, animals, and technologies. For instance, Europeans brought horses, wheat, and smallpox to the Americas, while the New World supplied maize, potatoes, and tobacco to Europe, transforming dietary habits and agricultural practices worldwide (Crosby, 2003). This exchange increased food productivity, supporting population growth but also led to devastating pandemics that decimated indigenous populations.

Secondly, cultural interactions intensified as Europeans encountered indigenous societies with diverse social structures, belief systems, and traditions. These encounters sometimes led to syncretism, as reflected in the blending of religious practices and art forms, but also aggression and cultural suppression. The transmission of languages, ceremonies, and worldviews facilitated a complex mix of conflict and adaptation, shaping cultural identities (Nunn & Qian, 2010).

Thirdly, innovations in navigation, shipbuilding, and cartography emerged from the necessity of long-distance exploration. The advancements by explorers like Columbus and Vespucci, supported by patronage from monarchs, led to more accurate maps and navigational tools, reducing risks and encouraging further exploration. These technological improvements laid the groundwork for sustained global trade networks that integrated distant economies into a single interconnected system (Findlay & O’Rourke, 2007).

Groups Impacted by the Global Event

The Age of Exploration dramatically affected various groups worldwide. Firstly, indigenous populations in the Americas experienced catastrophic consequences. The arrival of Europeans introduced diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza, which decimated millions of Native Americans, causing the near destruction of entire civilizations (Diamond, 1997). Additionally, colonization led to the exploitation of indigenous labor and resources, disrupting traditional social orders.

Secondly, European nations benefited economically and politically. Countries like Spain, Portugal, England, and France gained wealth through new trade routes and territories, establishing colonial empires. They profited from the export of raw materials and the establishment of plantations, which contributed to the rise of capitalism and mercantilism (Mann, 2012). Political power also shifted as nations competed for control of land and trade routes, shaping the geopolitical landscape.

Thirdly, African populations were deeply affected, as demand for enslaved labor increased with the expansion of plantation economies. The Atlantic slave trade forcibly brought millions of Africans to work in American plantations, profoundly impacting African societies through depopulation, societal disruption, and long-term socio-economic consequences. These forced migrations and brutal labor conditions left enduring legacies of racial inequality (Eltis, 2007).

Impact on the Life of the Average Working American During the Colonial Period

The discovery of the New World initiated economic and social changes that affected every aspect of colonial American life. The influx of crops like potatoes and maize improved nutrition and supported population growth in the colonies. The expanding trade networks introduced goods such as textiles, tools, and manufactured items, which transformed daily household life and work practices (Morgan, 2003). Moreover, the plantation economy grew rapidly, relying heavily on enslaved labor, which influenced social hierarchies and labor systems.

Economically, the Columbian Exchange facilitated market expansion, enabling colonists to produce surplus crops for export, which in turn fueled economic development and the growth of towns and ports. The increased availability of imported goods improved standards of living, although often at the expense of enslaved workers who endured harsh conditions (Morgan, 2003). Socially, the cultural exchanges and conflicts fostered a colonial identity shaped by diverse influences and interactions with indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans.

In conclusion, the European discovery of the Americas and the subsequent global exchanges it sparked reshaped societies, economies, and cultures across the globe. It played a crucial role in laying the foundations of modern globalization, affecting all levels of human life, from indigenous populations and colonial nations to ordinary working Americans. Understanding these historical processes highlights the enduring importance of these events in shaping the present world order.

References

• Crosby, A. W. (2003). Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492. Praeger.
• Diamond, J. (1997). Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Eltis, D. (2007). The Rise of African Slavery in the Americas. Cambridge University Press.
• Findlay, R., & O’Rourke, K. H. (2007). Power and Plenty: Trade, War, and the World Economy in the Second Millennium. Princeton University Press.
• Mann, C. C. (2012). 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. Vintage Books.
• Morgan, P. (2003). American Slavery, American Freedom. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Nunn, N., & Qian, N. (2010). The Columbian Exchange: A History of Disease, Food, and Culture. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(2), 177–200.
• Smith, A. (1776). The Wealth of Nations. Methuen & Co., Ltd.