To begin I feel it is important to define the term globalisation. It is described by Osterhammel and Petersson as “the development, concentration, and increasing importance of worldwide integration,” (Osterhammel & Petersson, 2003, p. 26). I take this definition to mean that globalisation is about how the world has come together as one and created interconnectedness between countries. Globalisation is a widely debated topic, especially by historians, so it is arguable whether we can speak of globalisation before 1500. In this essay I plan to discuss examples of globalisation before 1500 and come to a conclusion on whether these examples were in fact true representations of globalisation at this time. I then plan to use my arguments to conclude
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In 1492 Christopher Columbus, a Spanish explorer, travelled West from Spain and on his voyage founded the New World. Upon arrival in the New World he came into contact with native tribes. The founding of the New World opened a huge opportunity for trade links as it was rich with produce that was not available in Europe. Similar to the Mongols, Columbus had caused globalisation to occur as trade links had been created between the Americas and Europe. Additionally, migration began to occur as people from Europe also wanted to be part of this discovery which would also suggest globalisation was occurring as with them, these Europeans would have brought their religions and cultures which would have spread throughout the Americas which is a sign of globalisation. However, the indigenous tribes of the Americas did not want their homeland to be overrun by foreigners and fought against them. The result of this was the loss of life among the native tribes, with many being completely wiped out. The death of these tribes indicate that there was a loss of religion, culture and practices from the New World that would never be passed on meaning that even though the cultures from Europe were being spread, the native cultures would not be, hinting that globalisation was not occurring here as cultures from both continents were not being shared. I would argue that the Colombian Exchange was a sign of globalisation as the trade of goods, such as tobacco and potatoes, occurred which in later years would create a new way of life in Europe, for example smoking. The migration of people to the New World also reflects my argument as globalisation is “being driven primarily by the “free migration”” (Daly, 2004, p. 41). One of Eriksen’s definitions of globalisation is “vulnerability” (Eriksen, 2007, p. 123). This definition can be represented through the Columbian Exchange as diseases such as smallpox were said to be
In 1492 Christopher Columbus, a Spanish explorer, travelled West from Spain and on his voyage founded the New World. Upon arrival in the New World he came into contact with native tribes. The founding of the New World opened a huge opportunity for trade links as it was rich with produce that was not available in Europe. Similar to the Mongols, Columbus had caused globalisation to occur as trade links had been created between the Americas and Europe. Additionally, migration began to occur as people from Europe also wanted to be part of this discovery which would also suggest globalisation was occurring as with them, these Europeans would have brought their religions and cultures which would have spread throughout the Americas which is a sign of globalisation. However, the indigenous tribes of the Americas did not want their homeland to be overrun by foreigners and fought against them. The result of this was the loss of life among the native tribes, with many being completely wiped out. The death of these tribes indicate that there was a loss of religion, culture and practices from the New World that would never be passed on meaning that even though the cultures from Europe were being spread, the native cultures would not be, hinting that globalisation was not occurring here as cultures from both continents were not being shared. I would argue that the Colombian Exchange was a sign of globalisation as the trade of goods, such as tobacco and potatoes, occurred which in later years would create a new way of life in Europe, for example smoking. The migration of people to the New World also reflects my argument as globalisation is “being driven primarily by the “free migration”” (Daly, 2004, p. 41). One of Eriksen’s definitions of globalisation is “vulnerability” (Eriksen, 2007, p. 123). This definition can be represented through the Columbian Exchange as diseases such as smallpox were said to be