Create an argument about the significance of European expansion on the Americas.(1 point) Responses European expansion into the Americas did not exploit land-based resources, only trade routes in the region. This was done because Europeans wanted to control trade routes to make money off of them. European expansion into the Americas did not exploit land-based resources, only trade routes in the region. This was done because Europeans wanted to control trade routes to make money off of them. European expansion into the Americas was a process that took the sustainability of the resources of the Americas into account throughout. European expansion into the Americas was a process that took the sustainability of the resources of the Americas into account throughout. European expansion into the Americas came at the expense of the exploitation of the resources of the Americas and of other people, including those who were brought to the Americas by force. European expansion into the Americas came at the expense of the exploitation of the resources of the Americas and of other people, including those who were brought to the Americas by force. European expansion into the Americas was not done for economic gain. Instead, European expansion was done for exploratory purposes by people such as Christopher Columbus.

Question

Create an argument about the significance of European expansion on the Americas.(1 point) Responses European expansion into the Americas did not exploit land-based resources, only trade routes in the region. This was done because Europeans wanted to control trade routes to make money off of them. European expansion into the Americas did not exploit land-based resources, only trade routes in the region. This was done because Europeans wanted to control trade routes to make money off of them. European expansion into the Americas was a process that took the sustainability of the resources of the Americas into account throughout. European expansion into the Americas was a process that took the sustainability of the resources of the Americas into account throughout. European expansion into the Americas came at the expense of the exploitation of the resources of the Americas and of other people, including those who were brought to the Americas by force. European expansion into the Americas came at the expense of the exploitation of the resources of the Americas and of other people, including those who were brought to the Americas by force. European expansion into the Americas was not done for economic gain. Instead, European expansion was done for exploratory purposes by people such as Christopher Columbus.

Answer 1

European expansion into the Americas had a significant impact on the region, primarily driven by the desire for economic gain and control over trade routes. The Europeans saw the Americas as a land of opportunity, rich in resources and potential wealth. Contrary to the notion that Europeans only exploited trade routes, they also exploited land-based resources, wreaking havoc on the delicate ecosystems and native populations.

One cannot ignore the fact that European expansion into the Americas was driven by the pursuit of wealth. Europeans sought to control and monopolize trade routes, allowing them to establish colonies and extract valuable resources such as gold, silver, fur, and tobacco. This desire for economic gain ultimately shaped the way Europeans interacted with the Americas, with devastating consequences for both the environment and indigenous populations.

The exploitation of land-based resources, including deforestation, mining, and agriculture, had severe environmental consequences. Native ecosystems were destroyed, and valuable species were hunted to extinction or pushed to the brink. This disruption of the natural balance had long-lasting effects on the environment, leading to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and the degradation of ecosystems that still impact the Americas today.

Furthermore, the European expansion into the Americas had a catastrophic impact on the indigenous populations. Europeans brought diseases, such as smallpox, for which the native populations had no immunity. This resulted in widespread epidemics that decimated entire communities, wiping out approximately 90% of the Native American population. Additionally, Europeans enslaved indigenous people and later brought African slaves to the Americas to work on sugar plantations, mines, and other labor-intensive industries. This exploitation of human resources fueled the economic growth of European colonies but resulted in immense suffering and loss of life.

The argument that European expansion into the Americas was solely for exploratory purposes is flawed. While individuals like Christopher Columbus may have been driven by curiosity and a thirst for discovery, the broader European powers had clear economic motivations. Colonization was driven by the desire to establish profitable colonies and exploit the vast resources of the Americas.

In conclusion, European expansion into the Americas had far-reaching consequences. It was driven by the desire for economic gain and control over trade routes, which led to the exploitation of land-based resources and the forced labor and subjugation of indigenous and African populations. While there may have been exploratory motivations on an individual level, the overarching goal of European powers was undeniably economic exploitation. The impacts of this expansion are still felt today, as the Americas continue to grapple with the legacy of environmental degradation and the dispossession of Indigenous and African populations.