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Impacts of Spanish Exploration
The Age of Exploration aka Age of Discovery was the period when the European nations instigated exploring the world. It began in the 1400s and continued through the 1600s to improve the economy by acquiring gold and better trading routes, aspired to spread their religion (Christianity), and hoped for their country to accomplish global recognition by discovering new land (Weber, 2000). In short, the European’s primary motive was the 3Gs: Gold, god, and glory. They discovered new routes to much of the Far East, India, and the Americas. According to Kelsey (1986), the Spanish exploration of the New World began in 1492 with a man called Christopher Columbus. The Spanish exploration aimed to find the Northwest Passage, the direct and efficient trade route they believed to boost their economy (Leonard, 1936). Christopher Columbus undertook a voyage or sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to find a new route to India supported by the Spanish government under the monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand. However, Columbus ended up accidentally discovering islands full of timeworn communities and cultures in the Americas. The Spanish exploration posed an immense impact both in America and Europe. Therefore, the paper reiterates the socio-cultural and economic impact of Spanish exploration in native America and Europe.
It is beyond doubt that Spain became the epitome of sociocultural and economic in the world after Columbus explored America. Despite the colonization of America, Spain fully subjugated the route to America along with the Atlantic Ocean. These exacerbated Spain’s becoming magnificent, powerful, and wealthy. Trade became easier and the economy flourished by obtaining precious metals like gold from the colonies. Moreover, Irving Leonard (1936) evaluates that Spain generated a huge harvest by cultivating in America. Additionally, Harry Kelsey (1986) asserts Spain prevalent the European belief in Christianity by spreading Christianity, and language became dominant. For the Europeans, Columbus exploration became the inspiration for it stimulated and made them explore even more (Kelsey, 1986). Consequently, other European nations such as England, France, and the Netherlands commenced to explore the new world. This brought competition among the nations in terms of colonies, economy, and glory. With colonies, the European nations boosted their economy as a result of convenient trade and commerce. Moreover, David Weber (2000) implies that raw materials were available from the colonies. Furthermore, the cultural norms of Europe disseminated in the new worlds making the Europeans the dominant race. Thus, Europe as a whole was glorified by the idea of exploration.
Similarly, the Spanish exploration and colonization accomplished positive impacts on Native Americans too. Culturally, the Spanish language introduced in America is still in use. For instance, in Trinidad and Tobago Spanish is considered the second official language. In addition to that the Columbian Exchange brought new European crops such as rice, wheat, olive, coffee, and banana in native America (Weber, 2000). Animals such as cows, horses, chickens, and pigs were also brought which gave a new approach to agriculture. Moreover, America was first introduced into the world of technology by Spain (Kelsey, 1986). They were introduced to the idea of shipbuilding and skills related to the usage of navigational apparatuses.
However, its negative impacts cannot be undermined with few advantages. As the spreading of religion was one of their motives, the Spanishweres identical to Christianity. Christianity was made obligatory and their religious beliefs were protracted by forcing them to adopt their culture (Leonard, 1936). According to David Weber (2000), Spanish stamped out the native traditional beliefs to deprive practicing their own culture. Additionally, Harry Kelsey (1986) asserts that the Spanish language became required while the natives were deprived of speaking their language. With these, native Americans lost their tradition and cultural practices. Economically, the indigenous people were deteriorated. The lands and resources were possessed by the Spanish settlers hampering the economy and causing starvation among the natives. They were forced to work in mines and plantations without payment. Moreover, social life became more intricate and miserable due to the defensive war. The native people were treated as slaves compromising their freedom and human rights (Leonard, 1936). On the other hand, diseases became rampant as a result of exchanging animals and planets under the provision of the Columbian Exchange. All those economic and social factors devastated the indigenous people in society. For instance, nearly 95% of the native Americans were wiped out through disease, slavery, and war.
Sociocultural and Economic Impact of Spanish Exploration
Columbus’s discovery of America in 1492 created a new history of colonization by European nations. Spain became too tenacious with its colonies or New World. Spain colonized America and completely dominated the Atlantic Ocean and route to America by 1492 which made Spain the dominant world power of the 16th century (Kelsey, 1986). Indeed, the antiquity of Spanish exploration is a unique aspect of our culture nowadays. However, its negative impacts were immeasurable. Due to its overriding approach to a new world, Spain deteriorated and destabilized America. Their traditional beliefs and cultures were eradicated. The Americans lost their life due to starvation and war against Spain. Indeed, Spain wiped out the whole of America.
References
- Kelsey, H. (1986, April). Finding the way home: Spanish exploration of the round-trip route across the Pacific. Western Historical Quarterly, 17(2), pp. 145-164. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/969278
- Leonard, I. A. (1936, March). The Spanish re-exploration of the gulf coast in 1686. The Mississippi Valley Historical Review, 22(4), pp. 547-557. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/1897321
- Weber, D. J. (2000). The Spanish frontier in North America. OAH Magazine of History, 14(4), pp. 3-4. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/25163375
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