Spanish Horses In North American Culture

In North America, wild horses are often labeled as non-native, or exotic species by most federal or state agencies, such as the National Park Service, etc. Despite this, horses were originally indigenous to North America millions of years ago, however, some found their way to what is now Europe and Asia before they died out and became extinct around 2 million years ago. It wasn’t until 1493 when the Horse was finally re introduced. On Columbus’ second voyage to the Americas, Spanish horses were brought back to North America, first in the Virgin Islands, then in 1519, they were reintroduced to North America, in modern‐day Mexico. From there they then radiated throughout the American Great Plains. The Native Americans were extremely intrigued with the new creatures that the old world had brought with them. However, it was strictly prohibited, by Spanish authorities, for Indians to have ownership of horses. That was until the

However, in the 17th and 18th century the potato was a startling novelty. Compared to other crops such as wheat the potato is much more productive. Because potatoes grow underground, they are not limited by the rest of the plant. The same can not be said for crops such as wheat. If wheat grows to high then it can tip over and will be destroyed. Furthermore, Potatoes provide more calories, vitamins, and nutrients per area of land sown than other staple crops. Because of this as well as how well the potato was able to grow in Europe, many researchers believe that the potato ended the Famine in Northern Europe. However historians such as historian William H. McNeill argue, that the potato did more than just end a famine, it led to empire: “By feeding rapidly growing populations, [it] permitted a handful of European nations to assert dominion over most of the world between 1750 and 1950.” In other words, the potato fueled the rise of the