European, Native American, and African Collisions Essay Example

eventually arrived on an island in Bohemia.

During the emergence of new crops in the New World, there was a clash between Spanish and Native American cultures. The introduction of various crops such as vanilla, chocolate, tobacco, beans, tomatoes, pineapples, potatoes, and corn brought significant changes to the global economy for Europeans. Additionally, some parts of the New World saw great growth in sugar from the Old World.

The Spanish conquistadores were eager to obtain the gold and silver found in the New World, leading to a surge in silver resources. This advantage sparked price hikes that eventually gave rise to capitalism by 1600. The success of the Spanish following these events was highly desired by numerous nations.

When Europeans arrived in Native American territories, the population of indigenous people suffered a serious decrease. Despite the fact that these outsiders brought new culinary options and introduced livestock such as horses, cows, and pigs, they also spread many diseases like smallpox, measles, bubonic plague, influenza, typhus, diphtheria and scarlet fever which had disastrous effects on the Indian society. Regrettably, due to these sicknesses more than 90% of Native Americans died.

In 1540, Tenochitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire, was invaded by Hernan Cortes and other Spanish conquistadores. Prior to this invasion, the Spaniards had already defeated Indian armies in pursuit of silver in 1532. Although initially welcomed by chieftain Montezuma, they took advantage of the locals for their own financial gain. This led to resistance from the Aztecs who were unable to withstand both factors - a combination of Spanish guns and a smallpox outbreak which quickly overtook the city. Despite being just as large as most

European cities at that time, Tenochitlan fell due to its inability to resist against these two factors which favored the Europeans.

The Europeans gained more power during both of these historical periods, which put the Africans and Indians at risk. Despite being destructive at times, these clashes of cultures were also constructive as they brought about events and ideas that are essential to our world today.