What started off as an attraction to the East, and not the West, led Europeans to discover the Americas. Europeans not only discovered the Americas, but they began to colonize the “New World” even though ancient Americans and their descendents were already living there for thousands of years. At this time, most native people were not able to defend themselves because Europeans were a lot more advanced than they were. European nations were indeed more advance, but the main reasons why they were so successful at colonizing the Americas in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries relies heavily on their desire to colonize, immunity from old world diseases, and a well-equipped military. During the sixteenth century, European nations had the desire
The political impact from the Mongols was much more centralized and uncompromising in China rather than in Russia, where political impact was didn’t have as much effect. Both the Chinese and the Russians had a greatly improved economy under the Mongolian rule. This is due to the fact that the Mongols believed in taxing the peasants in both regions as a way to earn money for themselves. In China, it was said that Silk Roads and trading was so safe, that a traveler could voyage across the entire Mongol area with a golden platter upon his head and not be robbed or encounter any violence. Russian towns had increased profits from the trading of the Mongol links.
Why Europe? Anan Patel 12/16/13 The Europeans were the first people to explore and conquer the rest of the world. But, before they explored the world the Chinese had started this voyage project also, but they eventually receded from this because they were looking to focus more on domestic matters (DOC 2, 3, 4, and 5). The reason why Europe succeeded and the others didn’t because Europe already had advantages in society because of the plant and animal domestication, also they had enough competition between the different European countries to go out on voyages to look for more (DOC 1, 6, 7, 9) . On the other hand, the other countries weren’t able to succeed because they conquered by Europeans or their population died out from diseases or plagues (DOC 4, 5, 8).
Economic factors were a chief motivation for colonization to European countries. Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany believed conquering primitive areas would help build up industry and agriculture. He also thought it could help build up a fleet of ships and is quoted “Our future lies upon the water.” (doc 1). Other leaders such as Jules Ferry of France saw these places as shelters, ports for defense, and provisioning (doc3). John Hobson, an English economist, saw imperialism as inevitable, for powers of production outpace consumption resulting in more profit for the mother country (doc 2).
1. Even though imperialism existed to some extent before the industrial revolution, it gave industrialized countries many reasons to peruse it. Vast raw materials are needed to properly maintain a strong industrial economy. Many believe the industrial revolution began in Great Britain, which was very powerful but small in terms of land, population, and available resources. This gives them an incentive to colonize areas where there are large amounts of raw material instead of just paying for the materials.
Erin Peluso Throughout history, Western civilization has remained a super power superior to all other nation because of its ability to overcome adversity. Western influence is viewed as a topic in which many people disagree on because over time it has had so many debatable issues arise. Christopher Columbus and his voyage and discovery of the New World are one of the most popular debates. While some believe that Columbus’s discovery was astounding and had a positive impact on the world forever, others believe that the discovery was nothing more than an act of slavery, and genocide, as well as a waste of natural resources in a new land. In some cases, historians even believe that the discovery should not be credited to Christopher Columbus.
APWH Ch 14: Empires and Encounters Responses Margin Review Questions 1. What enabled Europeans to carve out huge empires an ocean away from their homelands? • Europeans were much closer to the Americas than were their potential Asian competitors. • Europeans were powerfully motivated after 1200 to gain access to the world of Eurasian commerce. • Groups within European society—including competing monarchs, merchants, impoverished nobles and commoners, Christian missionaries, and persecuted minorities—all had strong, if different, motivations for participating in empire building.
Prior to the Indian wars, Europeans saw themselves as being the elite race. Both cultures had better education and believed to be the more dominate force. It took an act of terror to help each race to open their eyes to a bigger picture. Once they had seen such devastation, they would now realize and fear the unknown. Such terror and horror brought fear and unity.
Diseases and New World Once the United States had been called “Land of Opportunity” by many immigrants from many countries. US citizens who were once the immigrants could not have the opportunity of prosperity without the enterprising spirit of the Europeans and the sacrifice of Amerindians in between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Although the Europeans were armed with advanced weapons and technologies, it would be almost impossible to take over the gigantic lands from the outnumbered and warlike Native Americans in such a short period. Then, how did they accomplish such the greatest historic achievement so quickly? Europeans were armed not only with superior physical weapons such as iron swords and firearms, but also with unintentional
Daima Soé Rosado December 18, 2012 Period: 6 Imperialism: The powerful looking for the weak. Many countries and islands would not be what they are now without imperialism. Imperialism is when a strong country takes over a country that is not strong enough to defend itself. Imperialism was very important and helped countries such as Guam, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Philippines. Imperialism was used back in 1850-1914 by the Spaniards to become more powerful than they were.