In the fifteenth century through the consecutive centuries afterwards, North, South, and Central Americas experienced unprecedented changes in its geopolitical landscape. As Western European spheres of power ventured out west in their pursuit of national glory, religious freedom, and liberty. The uncharted New World held hopes for the Europeans, however what had started out as an accidental discovery of a ‘new’ continent, quickly transformed into a competition between imperial powers for influence and wealth. The presence of the Europeans in the Americas caused changes to the native population due to the Columbus Exchange and the vigorous wars, religious persecution, and enslavement of the Native Americans. As for the Indians, their contact
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Maize, potato, and tobacco etc. were introduced into Western Europe (22, “GML”), along with gold and silver. Europeans, on the other hand introduced livestock, wheat, rice, and sugarcane along with diseases (22, “GML”). This led to the further enrichment and prosper of the Old World and the decline of Indians in the New World. News of the Americas had attracted colonists pursuing fame and glory. The influx of Europeans, African slaves, and their interactions with Native Americans gave rise to the spread of small pox, measles, and other diseases such as influenza. Diseases that were not previously exposed to the Indians prior to European exploration proved to be devastating to the native populations, with “the death of perhaps 80 million people-close to one-fifth of humankind” (22, “GML”). Although, the Indians received European goods like horses, guns, and wheat, the spread of disease unbeknown to them caused a drastic decline in their …show more content…
The negative views of Native Americans as being ‘savages’ served was enough justification for the Europeans to seize their land and convert the ‘heathens’ to Catholicism. The contrasting aspects of the Indians’ religion, gender roles, and use of land, in regards to those of the Europeans, served as further reasoning for the Europeans to invade and conquer. With values such as the Christian liberty, the attainment of freedom through the abandonment of sin and the embracement of the teachings of Christ (13, “GML”), gender division, and liberties, European countries used the widespread negative views of the ‘savages’ to justify expansion. Through Spanish rule, the Native Americans were subjugated to enslavement, brutal treatment, and killings at the hands of conquistadors. As “the most powerful bastion of Orthodox Catholicism” (26, “GML”), Spain sought to spread the ‘true faith’ to Indians. Consequently though, the zealous efforts of the Spaniards that brought about conflict and strife, later developed into tolerance of religious faith and cultural practices belonging to the
Maize, potato, and tobacco etc. were introduced into Western Europe (22, “GML”), along with gold and silver. Europeans, on the other hand introduced livestock, wheat, rice, and sugarcane along with diseases (22, “GML”). This led to the further enrichment and prosper of the Old World and the decline of Indians in the New World. News of the Americas had attracted colonists pursuing fame and glory. The influx of Europeans, African slaves, and their interactions with Native Americans gave rise to the spread of small pox, measles, and other diseases such as influenza. Diseases that were not previously exposed to the Indians prior to European exploration proved to be devastating to the native populations, with “the death of perhaps 80 million people-close to one-fifth of humankind” (22, “GML”). Although, the Indians received European goods like horses, guns, and wheat, the spread of disease unbeknown to them caused a drastic decline in their …show more content…
The negative views of Native Americans as being ‘savages’ served was enough justification for the Europeans to seize their land and convert the ‘heathens’ to Catholicism. The contrasting aspects of the Indians’ religion, gender roles, and use of land, in regards to those of the Europeans, served as further reasoning for the Europeans to invade and conquer. With values such as the Christian liberty, the attainment of freedom through the abandonment of sin and the embracement of the teachings of Christ (13, “GML”), gender division, and liberties, European countries used the widespread negative views of the ‘savages’ to justify expansion. Through Spanish rule, the Native Americans were subjugated to enslavement, brutal treatment, and killings at the hands of conquistadors. As “the most powerful bastion of Orthodox Catholicism” (26, “GML”), Spain sought to spread the ‘true faith’ to Indians. Consequently though, the zealous efforts of the Spaniards that brought about conflict and strife, later developed into tolerance of religious faith and cultural practices belonging to the