Spanish Empire in the Americas
1. Columbus believed that the Taino were too trusting and gullible, as well as easily pleased and controlled, which led the Spanish to think that they could take advantage of the natives. This is shown through the actions of the Spanish against the native population and in Columbus’s journal, when he wrote that the Taino were delighted with items of small value, became attached to them, and accepted anything with goodwill when they traded. For example, Montezuma, the Aztec ruler, believing Hernando Cortés, a conquistador, to be a god, gave him gold. Cortés, unsatisfied, killed the trusting Aztecs while they were celebrating a religious festival. When they rebelled in response, he persuaded other native groups to fight with him. Because of the natives’ trusting nature and ability to be manipulated, Cortés was able to conquer the Aztecs. …show more content…
The Columbian Exchange had both positive and negative consequences. For example, the exchange spread diseases from Europe to the Americas, such as measles, smallpox, and influenza, which killed millions of Native Americans. On the other hand, the exchange also introduced new foods from the Americas to Europe, like corn and potatoes which were both cheap and healthy and helped people live longer, increasing Europe’s population. In addition, new wealth and an increase in overseas trades due to the Columbian Exchange led to new businesses and trade practices, which changed Europe’s economy during the 16th and 17th centuries. For example, capitalism, the system of private possession and investment of resources for profit, arose. However, all this economic activity led to inflation, which occurs when a people are wealthy and have a demand for goods and services in low supply, resulting in an increase in prices. This occurred in Spain during the 1600s, when gold and silver from the Americas arrived in boatloads. In conclusion, this global transfer changed the world positively, as well as
1. Columbus believed that the Taino were too trusting and gullible, as well as easily pleased and controlled, which led the Spanish to think that they could take advantage of the natives. This is shown through the actions of the Spanish against the native population and in Columbus’s journal, when he wrote that the Taino were delighted with items of small value, became attached to them, and accepted anything with goodwill when they traded. For example, Montezuma, the Aztec ruler, believing Hernando Cortés, a conquistador, to be a god, gave him gold. Cortés, unsatisfied, killed the trusting Aztecs while they were celebrating a religious festival. When they rebelled in response, he persuaded other native groups to fight with him. Because of the natives’ trusting nature and ability to be manipulated, Cortés was able to conquer the Aztecs. …show more content…
The Columbian Exchange had both positive and negative consequences. For example, the exchange spread diseases from Europe to the Americas, such as measles, smallpox, and influenza, which killed millions of Native Americans. On the other hand, the exchange also introduced new foods from the Americas to Europe, like corn and potatoes which were both cheap and healthy and helped people live longer, increasing Europe’s population. In addition, new wealth and an increase in overseas trades due to the Columbian Exchange led to new businesses and trade practices, which changed Europe’s economy during the 16th and 17th centuries. For example, capitalism, the system of private possession and investment of resources for profit, arose. However, all this economic activity led to inflation, which occurs when a people are wealthy and have a demand for goods and services in low supply, resulting in an increase in prices. This occurred in Spain during the 1600s, when gold and silver from the Americas arrived in boatloads. In conclusion, this global transfer changed the world positively, as well as