Discovery of the Americas By Difan Li

 

                                                        Discovery of the Americas

                                                                    By Difan Li

Before the 15th century, the Americas were virtually unknown to European countries. Scandinavian settlements built in the New World had long since been abandoned and forgotten. The main factors driving the sudden shift into exploration and colonization in the 1400-1500s included the growing ambition of various European governments, curiosity and desire for exploration and conquest, expansion of global trade, and wanting contact with the rest of the world. 

The development of the caravel ship played a major role in spurring 15th century European expansion, as well as the discovery of an alternate return journey to Europe by the Portuguese. There was better access to Africa and the previously inaccessible Africa South of the Sahara Desert. Trading posts for slaves and gold were established on the African shore by the Portuguese as well. Slavery was already a part of African culture from Arab flesh merchants to African tribes themselves. These practices were taken up by Portuguese colonizers who set up sugar plantations on the African coastal islands. This slave trade became a major economic success, and thousands of Africans were sent to the sugar plantations, setting up plantation-based economies for the future. 

After Spain was united in the 15th century through the marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, they began competing with the Portuguese, searching for a route to the west. By this point, there was great European demand for cheaper products from beyond the Mediterranean. Africa showed opportunity for plantation success and the Portuguese showed the possibility of sea travel. There was wealth, unity, and power in Spain, which meant allowance for discovery, conquest and colonization. Christopher Columbus, taking three ships, sailed west to reach the Indies, instead landing on the Bahamas and New World on Oct 12, 1492. The discovery of the new continents established a global economic system where Europe supplied capital and technology, Africa supplied labor, and the New World supplied the raw materials. 

Works Cited

Kennedy, David M, et al. The American Pageant : A History of the Republic. Boston, Houghton Mifflin Co, 2006.