Discoveries

Christine Choi

Discuss the effect of the discoveries and the encounters with unknown territories between 1500-1800 on Western economy

· Vasco da Gama- o Cape of Good Hope § Found some spices and cinnamon § Trade route established- import & export § Mercantilism · Slave trade- flourishes and becomes part of the economy · Spanish and Portuguese destruction of indigenous cultures o Destroys Aztecs, Incas, Mayas · Christopher Columbus o Found “India” (thought that he did) o Also found the Caribbean Islands o Reached the Bahamas · Henry the Navigator · Encomienda o Permitted the conquering Spaniards to collect tribute from the natives and use them as laborers § Protect the Indians, pay them wages, supervise their needs · America: o British and French used developed plantation economies such as tobacco, sugar, cotton and coffee. · Dutch established Papa plantations, which brought Indonesia under the control o Europe fought each other for places in the countries o British took over India