The Atlantic World Cot

Between 1492 and 1750, as a result of contact among Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas, the Atlantic World changed economically, in terms of trade routes, and socially, in terms of ways of life, but continued to exchange goods and slaves.

At the beginning of this time period, only Europe was big in the global economy and the regions of Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas maintained their traditional way of life. This time period was the start of the Columbian Exchange. However, unlike Western Europe, Africa and America were relatively quiet in the global economy. African slave trade was at a small magnitude, as well as the trading of raw materials and luxury goods to and from the Americas. Also, Europe had a large socioeconomic gap between its rich and poor, as well as the spread of scientific and intellectual movements. Africa, freed from direct European rule, and America practiced their traditional ways of life. America was isolated from world civilization.

During the middle of this time period, the Columbian Exchange took off and Africa and the Americas experienced many social changes. The Columbian Exchange was the exchange of animals, plants, culture, slaves, diseases, and ideas between Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas. As a result of the Columbian Exchange taking place, diets and work habits changed, causing better nutrition, health, and an increase in the general population. Also, Europeans invaded the New World, bringing Christianity to the Americas. The bible was now taught in many American schools. A new hierarchy system was also introduced in the Americas.

During the end of this time period, the Atlantic Slave Trade dominated and socially impacted Africa significantly. Africans were more than accommodating to capture slaves and trade them with Europeans. Because many Americans were killed by diseases and hard labor conditions, these slaves were brought to the New World. These slave expeditions were based on private