Running head: IMPACTS OF COLONIZATION

The Long-reaching Impacts of Colonization in The New World Benjamin R. Smith Salt Lake Community College Professor Becherini

IMPACTS OF COLONIZATION Abstract The discovery and colonization of America set in motion the Columbian Exchange that forever

impacted the Old and New Worlds. After colonizing, it became evident that the set freedom that was the main purpose of leaving Britain for the Americas was disappearing, and that a revolution would soon take place in order to secure it. The effects of this revolution continue to impact the government of the United States today as the struggle to maintain principles of democracy and freedom continues; a reminder that changing the structure of government is tedious and complicated, but considering the importance of this challenge in life, it is worth it. The social, political, and economic advances during the early nineteenth century began the continuous flow of improvements being made constantly in the world today.

IMPACTS OF COLONIZATION The Long-reaching Impacts of Colonization in The New World

The period spanning from Pre-Columbia to The Early Republic in the United States could be discussed, analyzed, and re-analyzed for centuries. The social, political, and economic changes that occurred during this time period forever changed the world. The discovery and colonization of America, along with the Columbian Exchange have left lasting effects on the New and Old Worlds known to man. A Revolutionary War taught men that like a small Redwood seed, if it is allowed to grow it can become strong and eventually stand as a leader among nations. The Articles of Confederation, like the weak branches of a young sapling, could not yet bear the weight of the important demands of a new nation and required pruning. The new growth spurred by this demand for strength formed a Constitution to become an example of freedom and democracy to the world. 521 years ago, Christopher Columbus first landed on American soil. The result of this new and exciting discovery created an intricate surge and desire for greater association between man and the environment. (Appleby, J., Brinkley, A., Broussard, A. S., McPherson, J. M., Ritchie, D. A., Zike, D., & National Geographic Society (U.S.), 2008). This new relationship would be labeled The Columbian Exchange; trading plants, animals, religious beliefs, and disease (such as syphilis) that would help and decimate populations at the same time. (Davidson, J. W., DeLay, B., Heyrman, C. L., Lytle, M. H., Stoff, M. B., 2011) One of the most important animals that found a new home in the Americas was the Spanish horse. The horse changed the way that many Native Americans lived, giving them the opportunity to travel longer and with more ease making them Nomadic. A significantly important food that changed the staple crops in Europe was the potato. This crop was planted in the place of grain because of the ability held within to feed four times as many people on the same amount of land. (Appleby et al., 2008).

IMPACTS OF COLONIZATION The Columbian Exchange had wide spread effect. With food production and calorie intake increasing, the population continued to grow faster than ever before. Though Eurasia and the Americas were being attacked by vicious disease, the immensely increased nutrition counterbalanced the deaths from disease with longer life expectancy and more births. (Appleby et al., 2008). The Columbian Exchange also had lasting effects in reshaping the globe in travel, exploration, and colonization bringing many different cultures together. Slaves were also a part of this exchange and with them they brought deep-rooted culture, a hard-working attitude, and a fear of God, which can still be see in the United States today. (Appleby et al., 2008). Similar to

the time of the Columbian Exchange, there are still diseases that threaten lives, though unlike the smallpox epidemic, H1N1 (Influenza) are under much more control due to modern technologies. (Davidson et al., 2011). The Columbian Exchange could not have had such a vast impact on so much of the world if the colonization of the Americas had not taken place. Some people like joint-stock companies, sent representatives to establish operations and being to foster profitable furring, logging, fishing, and gold mining in Corporate Communities. These communities were set up mainly for financial purposes, chartered by the crown, which believed that land was property and the basis of all human wealth. (Fox, F. W., & Pope, C. L., 2007). History books claim that the pilgrims came to the Americas seeking religious freedom, which explains why Covenant Communities, which became a model for Corporate Communities, existed. Covenant Communities are well explained by their title. They were developed based on religious/moral values and the people were allowed to live according to their own moral liberty. (Fox, F. W., & Pope, C. L., 2007). Covenant communities came to America in search of religious freedom.

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Just as freedom played a major role in the colonization of America, it was very important leading up to, and contributing to, the Revolutionary War. The Stamp, Sugar, Townshend, and Coercive/Intolerable acts along with the Boston Massacre were some of the main reasons that the colonists wanted to go to war. They had lost the freedom that they held so dear and this loss created a growing anger in their hearts. The British were also beginning to become a little bit distressed over the colonies because of the rebelliousness they were showing in events like the Boston Tea Party and the nonimportation campaign. The foreseen war came with a bang in 1775 and left good and bad things in its wake. (Appleby et al., 2008). The war came to a close shortly after the American victory in Yorktown leaving the American colonists unified with a new and growing understanding of the potential of their burgeoning nation. The Revolutionary War itself truly was The shot heard around the world. This new nation that was developing quickly would soon become a powerful leading country and would enter the world of treaties, economic crisis, and political turmoil. (Davidson et al., 2011). Amid the chaos of politicians attempting to form a government with laws, principles, and governing forces, The Articles of Confederation found themselves thrown on the chopping block with an ax hanging above them while creating a new constitution. (Appleby et al., 2008). The noble delegates that created the framework of the United States government saw the Articles were weak, and needing revision. Under these Articles, there was no separation of powers, leaving all of the power in the hands of congress whose power was already limited. (Appleby et al., 2008). The new constitution brilliantly split the power into the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches with the Senate and House of Representatives making up the Legislature. (Americas Legacy: The Constitution Articles 1-3) Another major weakness of The Articles that need to be resolved was the weak central system already in place, giving the states all power.

IMPACTS OF COLONIZATION (Davidson et al., 2011). The Constitution answered this grief with the creation of federalism dividing power between the federal, or national government along with state governments. When the Constitution of The United States was ratified and accepted by the people, social, political, and economic changes followed during The Early Republic. Samuel F. B. Morse created the telegraph allowing communication times to be drastically cut, and the perfecting of the power press by Robert and Richard Hoe dramatically increased the speed of mass-produced newspapers and books causing information to run rampant throughout cities. (Davidson et al., 2011). Political parties also began to emerge and politics became known as mass entertainment drawing people who enjoyed participating in campaigns, drinking, and glee clubs while candidates attempted to entertain their thoughts. (Davidson et al., 2011). Economically, cotton played a major role along with the beginning of crop rotations. Canals reduced shipping costs and Robert Fultons steamboat started the massive change of the transportation of goods. Railroads also emerged during this time revolutionizing the transportation of goods, communication, and people across the young country. (Davidson et al., 2011).

The Columbian Exchange brought by the discovery of America, Colonization of the New World, The Revolutionary War and its effects; including replacement of The Articles of Confederation by the Constitution, and the social, political, and economic changes during the early nineteenth century define The United States of America. Without each of these key events and elements of the countrys past, The United States may not have become an example of democracy and freedom and the most powerful country in the world today. Each new event in the government today will someday become like these events in Americas history, full of political ideology, contemplation, and the growth of knowledge and technology. There is always

IMPACTS OF COLONIZATION a lesson to be learned from studying the successes and failures of the past. Changes will continue to occur every day and will one day be studied as the future generations seek a better United States of America.

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IMPACTS OF COLONIZATION References Brinkley, A., Broussard, A. S., McPherson, J. M., Ritchie, D. A., Zike, D., & National Geographic Society (U.S.). (2008). The American vision. New York, N.Y: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. Davidson, J. W., DeLay, B., Heyrman, C. L., Lytle, M. H., Stoff, M. B. (2011). Experience History: Interpreting Americas Past. United States of America: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Fox, F. W., & Pope, C. L. (2007). City upon a hill: The legacy of America's founding. Provo, UT: BYU Academic Pub. Americas Legacy: The Foundation of Freedom. Richardson, TX: The Student Governmental Affairs Program. (The Constitution of the United States of America)