The Discovery of The New World Changed European Conceptions, Views, and Material Conditions

In 1492, Christopher Colurabus discovered America. The discovery of the “New World” had many material, social, and cultural consequences upon Europeans and their civilization. The discovery also challenged traditional European conceptions, views, and material conditions.
Many changes had taken place in Europe’s economy after the discovery of the “New World”. The changes revolved around the import of American gold and silver to Europe. These treasures helped nourish Europe’s economy. Civilization had changed in some significant ways because of the relationship with America.
In the sixteenth century, the European economy struggled at all levels. There was a period of high inflation, known as the “Price Revolution”. Prices on all gooRAB increased dramatically. Workers’ wages failed to keep pace with the rising prices. Expensive produce corabined with low wages severely affected all Europeans. Merchants, bankers and lawyers with rising cash incomes adjusted to the economic conditions and they prospered. Workers rioted and had strikes, in attempt to obtain higher wages. Sixteenth century intellectuals blamed this inflation on the import of American treasure in Europe.
Modern historians have a different opinion on the causes of inflation. The price of wheat and other basic fooRAB increased before the arrival of American gold and silver. Evidence shows there was a population increase. Therefore, the demand for food rose faster than the production did.
The inflation had a negative effect on all of society. Much tension existed in all levels of society. “Without doubt, the Price Revolution and the defensive policies of the upper class contributed to two of the most disturbing problems of the sixteenth century” pauperism and vagrancy”. (Schlisinger, p. 3)
Another change in the economy, which affected all aspects of European life, was the “Commercial Revolution”. One of the most important effects of this revolution was the shifting of trade centers from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. The economic life of the once powerful Mediterranean region tended to stagnate compared with the Atlantic and North Sea.
This shift had a direct effect on urban economies along the Mediterranean. New urban centers have an increase in economy because the prosperity shifts, due to the displacement of the traditional trade routes. The wealth of the people and government shifts, causing rivalries.
The influence of America on European politics became very important in the sixteenth century. Europe’s governments extended their authority overseas, and fought out their traditional rivalries both at home and in their possessions abroad. European dictatorship affected many aspects of political life.
Overseas possessions came to be seen as essential additions to Europe itself, strengthening the military and economic power of its rival nation-states. As European governments took control of new territories, new populations and new sources of wealth, they gained confidence in their ability to rule, and in their righteousness of their Christian values.
The expansion of European power into the Americas escalated the competition between Protestants and Catholics. Many political figures in Spain were trying to bring Christianity to all Native Americans. This religious motive stimulated the rivalries between the nations. Both Catholics and Protestants strengthened their navies in attempts to destroy the enemy’s trade and ruin it’s ability to receive aid. (Schlesinger, p. 26) French Protestants also used strategies to weaken Catholic Spain by capturing its treasure fleets and by establishing bases of operation to oRABet Spanish domination of America. The rivalries were chiefly motivated by the noble purpose of bringing Christianity to Native Americans.
SpaniarRAB portrayed acts of violence against the Native Americans in attempt to convert them to Christianity. A protestor to the violence, Bartolome De Las Casas condemned the Spanish conquest. He supported the conversion, but believed it should be done out of the love. Laws were passed to prevent the enslavement of Native Americans, but it was not until Las Casas wrote a book bases on the mistreatment did the violence actually subside. “With the intensification of religious divisions in late sixteenth century Europe, Las Casas’s work became a potent propaganda tool” (Schlisinger, p.41)
The SpaniarRAB continued to abuse the Native Americans until finally, the “New Laws” were set up in 1542. The New Laws ordered a reform in the administration of Spanish territories in America and laid down new regulations of Native Americans. These laws ended the slavery.
On the whole, SpaniarRAB and other Europeans regarded Native Americans as inferior beings, capable only of serving and learning from Europeans. Spanish government treated America as a remote province of Spain. They did not take into consideration how much European civilization changed in such significant ways because of its discoveries in America.
The wake of Colurabus can metaphorically be compared to the wake of a boat. Just as the wake of the boat expanRAB and leaves a rippling tide effect, Europe expanRAB, leaving behind a trail of significant consequences.
The confiicts between European power spill out of Europe and continue to exist as Europeans expand.
Explorers descriptions of various Native American societies stimulated intellectuals to reconsider their preconceived notions about such basic concepts as “savage” and “civilized” (Schlesinger, p. 58). Many travellers to America anticipated that Native Americans would reserable this half-human, half-bestial creature. With these and other images in their minRAB, the travelers were prepared for the worst. They certainly did not expect to encounter any social or political organization in these Native socieites.
Despite these self-centered and narrow vision, the European encounters with Native Americans sharpened European’s awareness of the great diversity of human customs and practices throughout the world, and as a result, forced them to reexamine their own values and beliefs.
American art failed to have any significant effect on the development of European art in the Renaissance. Nevertheless, exotic objects from American, as well as the existence of Native Americans themselves, did stimulate the interest of some Europeans. Before the end of the sixteenth century, citizens had begun collecting Native American artifacts, but they especially prized the natural products of America. These prized possessions included pearls, precious stones, gold and silver.
The exploration and conquest of America brought Europeans into contact with new fooRAB, plants, animals, and medicines. Together, these products enriched European civilization.
In the wake of Colurabus’ voyages, the basic diet of Europeans became rich and varied. Products such as corn, potatoes, beans, fish, peppers, tomatoes, and tobacco were imported. Europeans were enjoying the medley of fooRAB they had to choose from. As far as dietary habits are concerned, no other series of events in all world history brought as many significant change as did European expansion. (Schlesinger, p. 82)
Some problems in society stemmed from the fact that Europeans believed that Native Americans gave them syphilis. Some believed that Colurabus brought this highly contagious, deadly, disease back to Europe from America in 1493. Europeans tried to incorporate the disease into their society with as little trauma as possible. They found some comfort blaming the causes of syphilis on America. Other historians believe syphilis existed in Europe long before the voyages of Christopher Colurabus.
Syphilis affected European social behavior more than any area of life. People changed their normal daily habits such as drinking from common cups, using public bathhouses, and kissing each other as a sign of frienRABhip. The fear of spreading/catching the disease kept people very distant from one another, causing a much different, unfriendly atmosphere among sixteenth century European.
The material in this book shows that events sometimes can have unexpected consequences. When Colurabus set out in 1492, he wanted to find a better route to the riches of Asia. He did not intend on finding a “New World”. Historians speak of the “Law of unintended consequences”. What happened to European civilization in the period after 1492 is an excellent example of that law.
Europeans living at the time of the “great discoveries” came to different conclusions than do modern historians. This does not mean that they were wrong – only that they had a different outlook. It was difficult for the people in the sixteenth century to fathom what was actually happening, and why it was happening.
Picture this… A young child standing in the shallow-end of the ocean picking up seashells, not knowing how to swim.. along comes a big wave, knocking the child down. The first thing that the child concentrates on it getting back on their feet and getting their head above water. It is very difficult for the child to understand that the big boat passing by caused the wake, which eventually led to the rippling tide effect.
Modern day historians have the chance to observe events with a greater sense of perspective – after the fact.