Because Columbus knew that the vast amount of spices were in Asia, he believed the people would agree that his journey would be the cheapest way for the spices to reach Europe. Also Columbus knew of the great amounts of China’s Gold. After Columbus was funded to take this journey across the western ocean he finally reached the shores of what he believed was Asia. Columbus saw many indications confirming his theory including Spices and the landmass. What Columbus didn’t realize was that he had actually just landed off the shores of Cuba and that plants that he thought were spices were really Shrubs that give off similar smells and tastes of Cinnamon and other popular spices in Europe.
The theory that the earth was flat and that it was therefore possible to sail off the edge of it was common in the middle ages, but had been discredited by Columbus' time. His first New World journey did help fix one common mistake, however: it proved that the earth was much larger than people had previously thought. Columbus, basing his calculations on incorrect assumptions about the size of the earth, assumed that it would be possible to reach the rich markets of eastern Asia by sailing west. Had he succeeded in finding a new trade route, it would have made him a very wealthy man. Instead he found the Caribbean, then inhabited by cultures with little in the way of gold, silver or trade goods.
Death was rampant at this time. Diseases such as smallpox, measles, malaria, influenza, and yellow fever were transferred from the old wold to The Europeans had been exposed to these sicknesses before and had different cures and ways of fighting it. But when the Indians caught wind of these illnesses they were devastated by the effects. There tribes were very susceptible, through the air and through touch. They were a more isolated human, so when the Europeans came and took over there immune systems were not at all prepared to face and fight back al;l the diseases that came there way.
For centuries, explorers from different nations ventured to North America in hopes of finding gold or civilization. Since nothing of great importance was found, overseas exploration during the first half of the 16th century was inhibited. After a few attempts at colonization in America, England became the first to create a successful colony in 1607, known as Jamestown. Many English colonies began to form after that point as a result of the success of Jamestown. Since England owned these particular areas of the New World, these colonies were very influenced and affected by their mother country.
This establishment quickly collapsed and the first permanent English colony of Jamestown was established 20 years later in 1607. With over a 100 year head start on England it would make sense that Spain capitalized the most on the New World; however it is quite the opposite. The differences in the colonization process helped England capitalize more by giving them the resources needed to bring them into the Industrial Revolution, and led Spain into a period of decline. There are many differences in how England and Spain colonized the new world. These differences include; the location of the colonized land, the treatment and relationship of the natives, reason for colonization, and the capitalization of the natural resources.
These "new" items provided a "culture shock" to the natives and many did not know how to deal with the changes. An example of this is when certain diseases were carried along on the ships that the Europeans were immune to, but were new to the natives. Many natives perished from these diseases, which were sometimes as small as types of influenza.
This is the start of a new world, but it is also a start for a series of genocides and tragic! Many people may think that Columbus is a hero, however, I my opinion, I think Christopher Columbus is not a hero but a villain. It is widely accepted that Christopher Columbus “discovered” America, however, during 1492, millions of Native Americans already live on that giant lands. If America had been discovered by Columbus, how is that possible that there are people living on it? Moreover, it is also widely accepted that Columbus is the “first” one discover the New World.
In Frederick Turner's thesis, “The Significance of the Frontier in American History,” he identifies the importance of the frontier as a medium for the growth of the American character and individualism. Turner explained how the “existence of an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement westward” would be a cause for development and advancement (530). By providing the settlers with a vast new world, the frontier enabled them with new problems and opportunities to create something new. The Atlantic coast was a place of freedom and the start of it all. Populated by diverse groups of immigrants, the new world was a place that the Europeans could strip off their old lifestyle and be reborn.
Some believed that Oregon would offer them a better life, a place where they could make their fortune. For others, the mere promise of adventure was incentive enough to move west. Pure and simple patriotism also motivated a great many who joined the Oregon movement. The Oregon Territory was claimed equally by both the United States and Great Britain. However, England dominated the region economically.
For example, during the French and Indian War, British commander and chief Jeffery Amherst suggested using smallpox to wipe out the Native Americans (D'Errico, 2010). When these new disease were introduced, the shaman or medicine men were baffled and unable to heal the ailments. As a result of the natives’ shaman being unable to cure their people of these diseases, the natives began not to believe in their healing powers. However, many of the indigenous that did not fall to disease, were captured for slavery. Many people believe that slavery of the Native Americans was a result of the Europeans colonizing the New World, but it was not.