European influence in the Americas commenced in the late fifteenth century, when
Christopher Columbus set sail for the Indies.However, he discovered a "new world", the
Americas. This phenomenal breakthrough would forever change the complextion of the world.
European prominence in the Americas can be viewed as a catastophe. These newcomers
exploited gold and silver from the native americans. A more severe consequence to the native
americans was the exposure to "old world" diseases such as smallpox and malaria. Their lack of
resistance to European diseases lead to a drastic decline in Indian population. On the contrary, the
European encounter with the Americas can be seen as an inevitable evolution in history with
long-run positive results. The exchange of crops and animals helped both worlds develop and
prosper.
The first Europeans to reach the Americas were the Norse seafarers from Scandanavia.
These voyagers weren't supported by expansionists, which lead to the dismisal of their discovery.
Playa América
Abduction of Europe
Europe SimulatorCenturies later, many Europeans desired contact with a new world for conquest or trade. The
Christian crusaders exposed goods like silk, perfumes, and spices to Europe. These Luxuries of
the Eastern hemisphere were quite expensive and had to be transported enormous distances. In
attempt to reach the eastern hemishpere quicker the spanish monarchs supported a seafarer
Christopher Columbus to sail west in attempt to find a new route to the Indies. Accidentally,
Columbus stumbled upon an island in the bahamas. This accidental discovery made Columbus's
voyage incredibly succesful.
A terrible problem resulting from European invasion of the Americas was the spread
of disease. The two seperate ecosystems clashed as Columbus's crew landed in the Americas.
Europeans carried the germs that caused smallpox, yellow fever, and malaria. The Native
Americans isolation from the rest of the world had wiped out these protective antibodies. Within
fifty years...