According to Adam Smith in 1776, who were the global “winners” and “losers” of the Columbus and da Gama “discoveries” and why?
According to Adam Smith in 1776, the global "winners" of the Columbus and da Gama "discoveries" were the Europeans, particularly the countries of Western Europe, such as Spain, Portugal, England, and the Netherlands. These countries were able to establish colonies, trade networks, and exploit new resources in the lands they encountered through exploration, thus enhancing their economic and political power.
The Europeans were seen as "winners" because the discoveries provided them with several advantages:
1. New Trade Routes: Columbus' voyage in 1492 and da Gama's expedition in 1498 opened up new trade routes to India, the Americas, and other parts of the world. This allowed Europeans to bypass the Ottoman-controlled land routes to Asia, which were expensive and dangerous. These new routes facilitated direct trade, reducing costs and increasing profits.
2. Resource Exploitation: The discoveries led to the exploitation of abundant natural resources in the lands encountered. For example, Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas brought a vast amount of land and resources under European control. The European powers extracted valuable resources such as gold, silver, spices, and agricultural products, which fueled their economic growth.
3. Colonization: Discoveries led to the colonization of vast territories in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. European powers established colonies to extract resources, establish plantations, and expand their influence. These colonies provided a steady stream of wealth, including raw materials and goods that European nations could use in their own industries or sell to other nations.
4. Technological Superiority: The Europeans had superior military and naval technology, which allowed them to dominate and conquer the indigenous people they encountered. This further strengthened their control over the newly discovered lands and resources.
On the other hand, the global "losers" of these voyages were the indigenous peoples of the lands encountered by Columbus and da Gama. They faced severe consequences, including:
1. Exploitation and Enslavement: The arrival of Europeans often led to the exploitation and enslavement of indigenous populations. Europeans forced the native populations into labor, mining, and agricultural activities, leading to the decimation of their communities and the loss of their autonomy.
2. Diseases: The European explorers unintentionally introduced diseases to which the indigenous populations had no immunity. Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza devastated native communities, leading to a significant decline in population.
3. Displacement and Cultural Loss: European colonization resulted in the displacement of indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands. Natives were often forcibly removed or pushed into less desirable areas. This led to the loss of cultural identity, traditions, and languages.
4. Colonization and Subjugation: European colonial powers established systems of governance that subjugated the native populations. Indigenous societies were often disempowered politically, economically, and socially, and subjected to cultural assimilation and discrimination.
Adam Smith's perspective in 1776 mainly focused on the economic implications of the discoveries, considering the European powers as the "winners" due to the economic benefits they derived from trade, resource exploitation, and colonization. However, it is essential to recognize the devastating impact these voyages had on the indigenous populations, resulting in significant losses in terms of population, culture, and autonomy.