Much of modern society that exists today was shaped by the changes and development of Europe from the early 15th century to the 18th century. The Age of Exploration, starting in the early 1400s, marked the beginning of the period during which the European economy shifted from the Mediterranean sea to the Atlantic Ocean. The basis for this shift was an increasing desire for a cheaper and quicker way of obtaining goods from Asia and Africa. While trying to find a quicker route to Asia explorers discovered the Americas. Capitalizing on the potential of the new discovery, Spain quickly set up colonies. Spain's growing power and the expanding market for goods from the Atlantic weakened the influence of the Mediterranean area causing economic power to shift to the Atlantic …show more content…
As a result of this shift the life of the people native to the Americas was greatly changed an economic revolution occurred in Europe.
The shift in economic power to the Atlantic Ocean was a result of the discovery of new trade routes to Asia and the discovery of the Americas. Development of trade between Europe and the Americas resulted in the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture, in what is known as the Colombian Exchange. Through this Europe received an influx of new goods from the Americas including maize, cocoa, and tobacco. From Europe the Americas gained sugar, horses, and several diseases. Spain was quick to exploit the growing demand for products from the Americas, using their colonies to export goods. Spain's discovery of the Mesoamerican civilizations in Latin America revealed another source of profit. Conquistadors, Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro conquered the Aztecs and Incas respectively. Spain used their newly conquered people as a work force to produce goods to sell in Europe. In addition, to being a source of new goods, the Americas represented an immense source of wealth. Alongside the discovery of the Mesoamericans, Spain found several silver and gold