Age Of Exploration Dbq Essay

The colonization of the Americas began in the year of 1492, when Christopher Columbus and his band of explorers arrived off the coast of the Bahamas. This new “discovery” for Europe would have drastic effects not only on the settlers themselves, but on the natives and their environment. It is without a doubt that the appearance of these explorers placed the Indians on a dangerous trajectory. Now, it is currently understood how the colonization of the American continent brought disease, war and ultimately death for many of the natives. Early exploration, conquest and settlement brought about new economies for the Europeans, new religious freedoms, and knowledge of the world and of exploration, producing great benefits for the colonists. Although the settlers did face risks and sometimes death during their conquest, they undoubtedly benefitted from this expansion. The Indians, however, were dealt a different hand. The culture that they had developed and the immense civilizations that had evolved were ultimately destroyed as the spread of epidemics, constant war, and brutal exploitation brought these prosperous and hospitable peoples to their knees.

Did you know that the Age of Exploration was one the most important time in history for the world. The Age of Exploration began in the early 1500’s in the nation of Portugal under leadership of Henry the Navigator. The first expedition to circle the globe was led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The causes of the Age of Exploration was to look for new trade routes and spread religion. The effects of the Age of Exploration were slavery and disease.

In the early 1400’s ,the Europeans began to have control over the world by setting colonies in the Americas, along the coast of Africa, and parts of southeast Asia. This is referred to as the Age of Exploration . This Age was  caused by advances in technology and it was motivated by the desire for glory, religion , and economic factors. The accomplishments of the European Age of Exploration were that ideas and goods were being exchanged, wealth allowed them better ships and navigation tools, and they had the chance to claim land and territories. These factors contributed in bringing a European Golden Age.

During the Renaissance many people were curious about the world, and had a desire to trade. This led to the Age of Exploration, during this time many nations grew more powerful and influenced the world. Europeans started to explore the world for gold. However while on this journey many European explorers did things that were great. Such as taken away natives land and rights, killing and mistreating natives, and lastly bringing a disease that killed thousands. So you then start to ask should these people be remembered today even with all the bad things they’ve done and brought to the world. I believe that European explorers, conquistadors and settlers from the Age of Exploration should no longer be glorified and celebrated in Modern times.

The Native Americans once thrived on the rich land of the Americas, and they built a long-lasting civilization with the help of nature, gods, and organized roles within the tribes. However, the thriving population plummeted after their encounter with diseases and forced labor brought upon them by the Spanish and Portuguese conquistadores. Although at first the conquistadores mistreatment of Native Americans seem shallow and unethical, their conquest of the Americas only partially reflects the claims of the English Black Legends..

Futhermore, at first slaves were both Indians and Africans. Since the Natives started getting sick and dying from diseases the colonist spread, the colonist started to import people from Africa. The colonist have not explored most of Africa. There were more people that they could use as slaves and the people

Establish the background context - LOOK AT THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF YOUR ESSAY PACKET-APPROX 2 SENTENCES

The desire to explore the unknown has been a driving force in human history since the dawn of time. From the earliest documented accounts, ancient civilizations have explored the world around them. Early adventures were motivated by religious beliefs, a desire for conquest, the need for trade, and an unsatisfying hunger for gold. The great Age of Exploration, beginning in the late 1400s, was an important era in the discovery and development of lands yet unknown to the Europeans. During this period, Europe sought new sea routes to Asia in pursuit of economic gain, increased glory, and opportunities to spread Christianity. Although these were motivations for explorers, the impact from the discoveries resulted in significant changes and

4. “As many as 10 million enslaved Africans were brought to the Americas.” (page 330)

During the 15th and 16th century, countries such as Portugal set out to find out more about the world in an era called the “Age of Exploration.” The explorers set out on voyages mainly to find sea trade routes to Asia. Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, and Ferdinand Magellan were the explorers that made the most important breakthroughs. They used different boats, tools, and maps to help them explore.

The first Africans brought in more or less as an experiment. Africans tended to share the same resistance to diseases that Europeans did, they were familiar with the types of farming and crops, and they tolerated the hot conditions well. Originally, it was a matter of a ship going to western Africa and attempting to capture or trade for enough slaves to fill their holds. As the trade increased, it was impossible for the Europeans to capture enough slaves on their own. They began to work with African agents, that tribal leaders captured prisoners from other tribes to sell to the Europeans. This became a big and efficient business, carrying millions to the west. These goods from Europe were carried to Africa and traded for slaves. When England decided to abolish slavery, this cut into the trade but did not end it. Other, European nations were still deriving profits, and had no interest in stopping. Changing technology, damaged ecosystems, increase of 'home grown' slaves all cut down on the demand

As the Europeans set up colonies in America, they brought the plantation ideas with them, which led to the need for labor hence they tried to enslave the Native Americans to work in their mines and fields. The Native Americans were prone to diseases hence most of them died as a result of diseases and overworking. Apart from the ones who died, a number rebelled and formed alliances forcing the Europeans to look for other sources of labor. They started to acquire African slaves due to a number of reasons: The African slaves were more stronger and immune to a number of diseases in Europe and America; the Africans had no friends and family in America hence it was not easy for them to form alliances or to escape; they provided a permanent and a cheap source of labor; and most of them had worked on farms before in their

Many historians have argued that the Atlantic slave trade was motivated either by race or economics. Personally, I find this to be true. With new European colonies being started around the world, there became a need for a labor force that could help economically and financially in the cheapest way possible. When the people figured out that they could go on voyages to Africa and come back with 200+ sets of hands for manual labor, they exploited this. Slaves would be bought and owned by citizens to help do everyday tasks and a tremendous amount of manual labor. However even though a great portion of slavery was for financial reasons, it soon became a thing due to racism as well. These Africans that were brought over were thought of as “not human” and used this as a reason to participate in the treacherous act that is slavery. Many elements that denominated from economics and racism were the causes for the Atlantic Slave trade.

On the other side he discovered a vast body of water that he named "South

Africans made ideal slaves for the whites because they were ignorant of European languages, customs, and laws; they were cheap to obtain by trade. Thus, African slaves preferred over indigenous slaves and indentured servants.