Change & Continuity
Below are examples of social, political and cultural change that occurred as a result of Columbus voyages westward. These examples will be part of class discussions during this history lesson module.
Christopher Columbus’ voyages to America and triumphant return signaled the beginning of a new era of exploration and a new global community Columbus alone had the courage and ambition to sail forth and prove something lay beyond the vast Atlantic Ocean.
As trade with Africa and the Americas increased a new merchant class rose. This new class became wealthier and helped to end the feudal system. We saw an incredible growth in trade and development of industrious seaport cities.
In the Americas, social transformations were huge. A distinct hieracrchy developed where Spainards born in Spain were top of the class, followed by Creoles, Mestizos, then the Indians and African slaves.
Africa was particularly affected by the slave trade. Large amounts of manual labor was needed on the Spanish and Portugese sugarcane plantations; Native American populations were often unable or unwilling to work as slaves.
Historians estimate that central America's Native American population shrank from 25 million in 1500 to less than 2 million in 1600.
Below are examples of social, political and cultural continuity that occurred despite Columbus' voyages westard. These examples will be part of class discussions during this history lesson module.
After Columbus' voyages, the gap between the poor and the rich in Western Europe remained, even though a middle class started to develop. The power is still concentrated in the hands of a few. These political and economic gaps still occur all over the world today.
Discrimination and prejudice of different races and the socio-disavantaged still persists.
Initially, Spain was not willing to provide the funding, men, ships and supplies to Columbus because of their involvement with the Reconquista. This was the movement by the Christian kingdoms of Spain to drive the Moors (north African and Iberian Muslims) from Spain. In 1492, Spain was successful in restoring Christianity to its kingdom, freeing up resources to offer Columbus. However, this ongoing clash of Christian and Muslim ideologies continues today.
Discrimination and prejudice of different races and the socio-disavantaged still persists.
Initially, Spain was not willing to provide the funding, men, ships and supplies to Columbus because of their involvement with the Reconquista. This was the movement by the Christian kingdoms of Spain to drive the Moors (north African and Iberian Muslims) from Spain. In 1492, Spain was successful in restoring Christianity to its kingdom, freeing up resources to offer Columbus. However, this ongoing clash of Christian and Muslim ideologies continues today.