The Impact of the Discovery of America
The globe underwent a sea change after America was discovered. During the Columbian exchange and the eras before it, America's strategic location, human potential, and resource endowment provided a chance to advance agriculture, trade, societal development, and commerce. The modern United States of America was founded as a result of the finding of America. America was valued mainly for the wealth of resources it possessed and for the economic potential it held. The European explorers embarked on quests to discover new lands to exploit raw materials and create revenue for its growing industries. Also, as the European powers struggled to acquire more colonies, America was a great opportunity to further the colonial agenda by the European powers. Amidst the need to control the socio-economic and political affairs of the people of America by the Europeans, resilience from the American natives led to growth and the eventual independence of America. The discovery of America led to the opening up of America for civilization and enlightenment. The Columbian exchange had diverse impacts on various groups of people from America, Europe, and other parts of the world.
The Technological Exchanges and Transformation of Native American Livelihoods
The technological exchanges between the new and the old worlds transformed the livelihoods of the Native American people. Technology was introduced in the farming and architectural fields. Prior to the discovery of America by the Europeans, the Native Americans were hunters and gatherers. The exchange of farming technology created more agricultural potential in America. The use of animal draw plows ensured that more tracks of land were cultivated for subsistence and cash crop production. The Native Americans lived a settled life upon the Columbian discovery. The use of oxen and horses substituted human labor and increased production leading to the creation of surplus farm produce for trade. Technology in the architectural field was evident as the Americans settled to focus on farming. European architectural designs were used in the building of farms, ranches, and homes. The use of wood to build houses shifted to the use of iron, steel, and stone and bricks. Technology exchange also led to the building of the ports and towns sprouted across America (Adams, 2016). Urbanization and the opening up of America with the introduction of the wheel furthered the Columbian exchange and the opening of America. The vast and fertile lands produced substantial amounts of food that fed the American people and provided surplus to be shipped out on trade.
The Spread of Civilization through Education
The new and old world exchanges led to the spread of civilization as education was introduced in America. Europeans had adopted the use of alphabet and arithmetic in communication, recording of events, and calculations involved in trade. The introduction of education was meant to help in the integration of the American and the European people. Reading and writing was necessary as the Europeans sought to sign treaties with the Native Americans. Also, the spread of Christianity meant that the Native Americans ought to know how to read and write to understand the Christian scriptures. The intellectual growth of the Americans was enhanced by the ability to write and read during the Columbian exchange (Bentley et al, 2015).
The Transformation of Warfare in America
The exchanges between the new and the old world transformed warfare in America. Prior to the Columbian exchange, Native Americans relied on bows and arrows for hunting and warfare activities. The Native American tools were made of obsidian, thus rendering them very malleable. The Europeans introduced iron and steel in America. Swords, knives, shields, spears, and guns made from iron and steel allowed the Native Americans to improve their warfare activities. Guns were more lethal compared to the ancient fighting tools of the Americans. Europeans faced very little resistance during their entry into America. The American resistance was dismantled by the military might of the European army. The transformation in the warfare structure of the Native Americans during the Columbian exchange later allowed the Americans to stage an uprising against the European colonial masters that led to the independence of the United States of America (Specht & Stockland, 2017).
The Effects on Europeans, Native Americans, and African People
The discovery of America greatly affected the Europeans, the Native Americans, and the African people shipped to America as slaves. The Europeans, through the discovery of America, expanded their economic strength from the proceeds of agriculture in America. The Europeans also expanded their industries as raw materials from America provided an alternative to the depleted resources in Europe. The Native Americans were displaced from their land upon the Columbian discovery. The Native Americans were forced to work in European farms and pay taxes to the colonial masters. The African slaves were forced into hard labor in European plantations. Also, the Africans were separated from their families and traded to slave traders to work in the newly discovered America (Specht & Stockland, 2017).
Conclusion
The life of average Americans changed drastically during the Columbian exchange and the colonization period that followed. The freedom of movement among Americans was put to an end. People had to work to earn money for a living, unlike in the past when people just hunted for a living. American adults had to pay land and poll taxes to the colonial government. Americans also accessed education and learned how to read and write during the American colonial period. European missionaries took Americans to school to convert them to Christianity and civilize them. The general impact of the Columbian discovery, the Columbian exchange, and the colonization of America was the opening up of America that led to civilization, economic development, and social progress in the long-run.
References
Adams, C. K. (2016). A History of the United States. Dinslaken: Anboco.2016
Bentley, J. H., Subrahmanyam, S., & Wiesner-Hanks, M. E. (2015). The Cambridge world history: Volume VI. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.2015
Specht, J., & Stockland, E. (2017). The Columbian Exchange. London: Taylor and Francis, 2017
