Marguerite McDonald World History I: Foundations Mr. Turner April 25, 2024 A Eurocentric War The early modern era, distinguished by the emergence of genuine global networks, marked a pivotal turning point in global history. Prior to this period, the world was dominated by regions outside of Europe. The Europeans were extremely motivated to join the prosperous Indian Ocean trade, however their resources were unappealing to Asians. As a result, they turned to other parts of the world, such as the Americas, in pursuit of profit and material wealth. Additionally, Europeans relied on Africans as a labor source to cultivate and work their plantations in the Americas. European exploration significantly changed life in the Americas and Africa, whereas
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Europeans brought about radical changes in the Americas, particularly through the conquest of the Aztec and Inca Empires. Initially, both the Aztecs and Incas ruled impressive empires, however European forces soon conquered both civilizations. As a result, Native populations were completely devastated, leading to the collapse of their societies. Subsequently, European colonizers took American foods, such as potatoes and corn, to Europe, while European diseases and domesticated animals flooded into the Americas. This exchange, known as the Columbian Exchange, transformed the Americas by introducing new species and altering landscapes. Overall, the European conquests destroyed Native populations and facilitated an exchange of goods, thus reshaping the Americas. From a Eurocentric perspective, the Europeans defeated the Aztec and Inca Empires due to advanced technology. In reality, their technology, such as rifles, had poor aim and needed to be reloaded after each shot. A more accurate depiction of European conquest takes into consideration the conjecture of local divisions and the Great …show more content…
Therefore, European dominance alone did not dictate the slave trade, since Africans actively participated in the exchange, motivated by their own pursuit of resources. The convergence of European demand for slaves and African interest in acquiring European resources was the driving force behind the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The Europeans did change African life through the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, however many of these changes relied on other non-European components. In contrast to the profound transformations witnessed in the Americas and Africa, European influence in Asia remained relatively minimal during the beginning of the early modern era. In particular, the Portuguese attempted to participate in the Indian Ocean Trade network, but the Asian markets had no use for their resources. Recognizing that their economy lagged behind that of Asia’s, the Portuguese adopted a “Trading Post Empire,” focusing on trading Asian goods rather than controlling territory. Therefore, the Europeans gained some profit, but this had little to no effect on the empires around the Indian
Europeans brought about radical changes in the Americas, particularly through the conquest of the Aztec and Inca Empires. Initially, both the Aztecs and Incas ruled impressive empires, however European forces soon conquered both civilizations. As a result, Native populations were completely devastated, leading to the collapse of their societies. Subsequently, European colonizers took American foods, such as potatoes and corn, to Europe, while European diseases and domesticated animals flooded into the Americas. This exchange, known as the Columbian Exchange, transformed the Americas by introducing new species and altering landscapes. Overall, the European conquests destroyed Native populations and facilitated an exchange of goods, thus reshaping the Americas. From a Eurocentric perspective, the Europeans defeated the Aztec and Inca Empires due to advanced technology. In reality, their technology, such as rifles, had poor aim and needed to be reloaded after each shot. A more accurate depiction of European conquest takes into consideration the conjecture of local divisions and the Great …show more content…
Therefore, European dominance alone did not dictate the slave trade, since Africans actively participated in the exchange, motivated by their own pursuit of resources. The convergence of European demand for slaves and African interest in acquiring European resources was the driving force behind the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The Europeans did change African life through the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, however many of these changes relied on other non-European components. In contrast to the profound transformations witnessed in the Americas and Africa, European influence in Asia remained relatively minimal during the beginning of the early modern era. In particular, the Portuguese attempted to participate in the Indian Ocean Trade network, but the Asian markets had no use for their resources. Recognizing that their economy lagged behind that of Asia’s, the Portuguese adopted a “Trading Post Empire,” focusing on trading Asian goods rather than controlling territory. Therefore, the Europeans gained some profit, but this had little to no effect on the empires around the Indian