The Beginnings of Our Global Age: Europe & the Americas 1492-1750

Lands that he reached would later be called the West Indies Christopher Columbus Wanted to reach East Indies Spain’s Ferdinand & Isabella financed him August 3, 1492 sailed west October 12, 1492 spotted land Lands that he reached would later be called the West Indies

Conquest in the Americas The Spanish had weapons (guns and cannons), armor, horses, and disease. The Spanish brought smallpox, measles, and influenza. Millions died. Conquistadors: Spanish conquerors Spanish conquistadors soon followed Cortez conquered Aztecs Pizarro conquered Incas in Peru Spain appointed viceroys, representatives who ruled in kings name Spanish granted the conquistadors encomiendas, the right to demand labor or tribute from the Natives

Pilgrims were English Protestants The English Colonies 1st English settlement was at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. Many died from disease and starvation. In 1620, Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims came for religious freedom The colonies began growing as the colonists started new industries and cultivated new crops to trade with those in England. English colonists were overseen by royal governors, though they did have some freedoms. American colonists did begin to protest British policies. Pilgrims were English Protestants

Like around the world, slavery existed in Africa since ancient times The Slave Trade Like around the world, slavery existed in Africa since ancient times (Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Indians, Aztecs, etc. enslaved defeated enemies). 1500s & 1600s, to Europeans, slaves were most important part of African trade Europeans wanted slaves to work their plantations in the New World Europeans rarely went into Africa’s interior Relied on African traders Slave comes from Slavs

The Atlantic Slave Trade Goods from America, furs, sugar, molasses, cotton, and rum were shipped to Europe. Europe Goods (guns, cloth, cash) brought to Africa, traded for slaves 3 1 North America Africa Middle Passage, the slaves were taken to America and traded for products. 2

Atlantic Slave Trade

Horrors of the Middle Passage Men, women, and children were bound with chains and ropes. Many died along the way, many tried to escape. Many died from disease. It could be dysentery, smallpox, and in many cases enslaved Africans died from committing suicide. About 2 million Africans died in passage to the Americas

Effects of Global Contact Began European domination of the world Columbian Exchange- Global exchange of goods, ideas, plants, & animals (started with Columbus) New to Europe Corn, Potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, peppers New to Americas Wheat, grapes, bananas, sugarcane Cattle, pigs, goats, chickens, horses, and donkeys Lead to huge population growth around the world

A Commercial Revolution 1500s, prices began to rise around Europe & there was much more money in circulation Inflation Inflation was fueled by enormous amounts of silver & gold flowing into Europe from the Americas Trade, increased money supply, & push for overseas empire spurred growth of European capitalism Capitalism: an economic system in which most businesses are owned privately