What Role Did 1492 Play In The Creation Of The Columbian Exchange

It would be an understatement to say that 1492 was a relatively important year in world history. Despite the relative shortness of a year when compared to time period of century, the year 1492 is exceptionally important, as it can be argued that without the events that transpired in that year, multitudes of other events may not have occurred until later; because of the extra time it would take for the area to be discovered, some events may not transpire at all. The arrival of Columbus in the Caribbean led to various other expeditions and events, such as the formation of the encomienda system, the colonization of the surrounding areas, and the exchange of products between the New and Old Worlds known as the Columbian Exchange. When Columbus returned from his first venture to the Caribbean, he brought Native Americans with him to Europe, where they were promptly baptized and became Christian. To King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who had already put into effect

Due to the isolation and difference in climate, geography, and other natural features of Europe and the Americas, the plants and animals that inhabited the areas were extremely different. While some animals and plants, such as turkeys and tomatoes, could only be found in the New World, others, such as cattle and oranges, could only be found in the Old World. The inability to acquire these unfamiliar items led to a natural desire to trade, which helped homogenize the two parts of the world, thus making the transition between the two areas less difficult for future settlers. Mercantilism also played a large role in this trade, as countries that had colonized these areas were able to sell these foreign products to other countries for increased prices while simultaneously obtaining these items for themselves at reduced prices or even for