European Expansion and the Columbian Exchange

The Reconquista, a long fight to drive out the Moors from Iberia, instilled a strong sense of nationalism, military spirit, and religious conviction in Spanish society. These characteristics later played a crucial role in the Spanish conquest of the Americas.

The Columbian Exchange led to a dramatic shift in diets and food production around the world. New crops like corn, tomatoes, and potatoes were introduced to Europe from the Americas, enriching the food chain and leading to new culinary traditions. Similarly, European crops like wheat and sugar cane were introduced to the Americas, transforming local agriculture.

During the 1300s and 1400s, Europe faced several challenges that made life difficult for laborers. The Black Death, a devastating plague, decimated the population, causing labor shortages. Climate change and agricultural disruptions led to food scarcity and famine. Wars and social unrest further destabilized society, leading to poverty and hardship.

The Portuguese, driven by a thirst for riches and a desire to expand their influence, embarked on voyages of exploration along the west coast of Africa. They sought new trade routes to Asia, aiming to bypass the dominance of Italian merchants in the Mediterranean.

Spain, motivated by a desire to find a new route to the East, was keen on exploring the Atlantic. Finding a sea route to Asia would grant them access to lucrative trade routes and break the monopoly of Italian merchants, who controlled the Mediterranean trade. Spain also aimed to spread Christianity and claim territories for their empire.

The Reconquista, a long fight to drive out the Moors from the Iberian Peninsula, instilled a strong sense of nationalism, military spirit, and religious conviction in Spanish society. These characteristics later played a crucial role in the Spanish conquest of the Americas.

The Black Death, a devastating plague, decimated the population, causing labor shortages. Climate change and agricultural disruptions led to food scarcity and famine. Wars and social unrest further destabilized society, leading to poverty and hardship.

The Columbian Exchange introduced new crops, like corn, potatoes, and tomatoes, to Europe, enriching the food chain and leading to new culinary traditions. It also introduced European crops like wheat and sugar cane to the Americas, transforming local agriculture.

European exploration of the Atlantic Ocean was driven by several factors: the desire for wealth from trade with Asia, the need to find new routes to avoid Italian and Muslim control over existing trading routes, and the ambition to spread Christianity.

The Columbian Exchange was a massive exchange of goods, people, and ideas between Europe, the Americas, and Africa. It introduced new foods, animals, diseases, and technologies to different parts of the world, bringing both positive and negative consequences.

The Spanish conquest of the Americas was facilitated by several factors. They had advanced weaponry, brought disease, and exploited existing political divisions among indigenous groups. These factors helped them dominate the Aztec and Inca empires, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Spanish colonial empire.