Dbq Apush Essay

Kaili Woop                                                                        Period 8

APUSH Long Essay                                                                Mr. Steigele

        The encounter between Europeans and American Indians modified different aspects of society. Changes were made politically, economically, and socially throughout 1491 to 1607. These alterations had positive and negative effects, however their impact made the world how it is today.

        The lives of Europeans and American Indians altered economically from trade amongst each other. The Americas, also known as the New World, would transfer their crops, such as potatoes and corn in return for crops from the Afro-Eurasian hemisphere, also known as the Old World. These crops included wheat, barley, rice, and turnips. The exchange of crops resulted in a population increase in the Old World in places such as China after maize had been introduced, and the establishment of potatoes in Ireland (Crosby). Slaves became an essential part of the Old World economy including West Africa which represented Europeans' main source of wealth (Gallay). The encounter resulted in high dominance of the economy by the Europeans. Before the encounter, American Indians traded amongst themselves and were in control of their trading system. Once the Europeans emerged, their materials, such as iron pots and axe heads filled up markets. Additionally, firearms were introduced, and improved the lives of people (Ritcher). Due to the quick arrival of the Europeans' abundant supply of goods markets, the American Indians adapted to those sources, thus making the Europeans dominant in the economy.

        The populations of Europeans and American Indians were impacted socially after the Columbian Exchange in 1492. The Americas were known to be diverse with culture before the exchange of sources with the Europeans (West). While transferring resources and ideas, the New World population declined due to diseases brought from the Old World. American Indians were not immune to the germs brought about by the domesticated animals from the Old World. Amerindians, such as the Cherokee and the Catawbas, became ill from diseases such as smallpox, malaria and typhus that resulted in eliminating approximately eighty percent of their population (West/Cosby). Additionally, the introduction of animals including pigs, goats, horses, and cattle destroyed their crop supply which influenced a greater population decrease. Due to the greater immunity of Europeans, their population continued to grow after the start of exchanging animals and materials with the American Indians (Cosby).