The Year 1492: A Historical Essay on Its Impact on Three Continents

This essay delves into the historical significance of the year 1492, emphasizing its role as the beginning of global civilization. It primarily focuses on Christopher Columbus's expedition and the subsequent colonization by European powers in regions like Europe, Africa, and America. The essay explores both the positive and negative impacts of these events, including the shift of political power from Asia to Europe, changes in food habits and cultures, and the development of trade relations. While acknowledging the economic boosts and introduction of new goods, it also addresses the negative consequences such as slavery and political dominance by Europeans. The conclusion highlights the complex legacy of 1492, recognizing both the advancements and detriments that shaped the course of history across these continents.

Running head: HISTORY ESSAY
History Essay
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1HISTORY ESSAY
Introduction
The following paper discusses about the significance of the year 1492 in the history of Europe, America
and Africa. This year has been regarded as very much significant since the discovery of the sea routes by Columbus
took place in this year. This year has been marked as the thorough beginning of the global civilization (Arnold,
2013). The justification of the exploration and colonization by European powers will also be discussed in this essay.
Significance of the year 1492
This year 1492 inevitably marks the beginning of the global civilization by all means. The colonization of
the European powers on Europe and other regions like Africa have been deemed as an internationally significant
event (Goldin & Kutarna, 2016). The expedition of the Spanish powers headed by Christopher Columbus has been
the most significant event in this scenario. Christopher Columbus had led the way so that a new trade route could be
discovered in the west through the seas. The birth of the new world order led by the several values and beliefs of the
Europe has been a landmark event indeed (Beding, 2016). However, the shift of the political power from Asia to
Europe has been regarded as something very significant in this juncture. Not only the shift of the political powers
but also the food habits and cultures also noticed a huge shift indeed. The Europeans came to America and Africa
with the intention to spread their business and expand their reign. The differences could also be explored through the
farming and agriculture of these regions. However, some developments took place in boosting the overall economy
of the African and American countries but there were several things that could be taken as the negative impacts of
the colonization (Arnold, 2013).
The political powers had completely shifted to the European people and they began the practice of slavery.
They arrested the black skinned people of Africa and used them as the slaves. This is surely a negative impact on the
civilization of the Western region of the globe. These negative impacts had been supplemented with the positive
things like the introduction of the various new items like cardamom, cattle, pigs, ginger, almond and other things to
the Americans. Some of the American foods also became the diet for the European people as well. These things
included tomatoes, peanuts, pineapple, turkey, beans, vanilla and other things (Beding, 2016). Thus this expedition
in the year 1492 by Christopher Columbus had been one of the most crucial things for the growth of the civilization.
The trade relations between Europe, Africa and America had also developed since things like tobacco, rice and sugar
found a huge consumer market in Europe as well. Many European priests also went to these regions to spread the
Christianity (Householder, 2016).
Conclusion
On a concluding note, it can be mentioned that the year 1492 had led several positive and negative impacts
between these continents. The colonization and slavery were the negative impacts on the civilization but the
developments in the trade relations also boosted the economy of these areas.

2HISTORY ESSAY
References
Arnold, D. (2013). The age of discovery, 1400-1600. Routledge.
Beding, S. A. (Ed.). (2016). The Christopher Columbus Encyclopedia. Springer.
Goldin, I., & Kutarna, C. (2016). Age of discovery: Navigating the risks and rewards of our New Renaissance.
Bloomsbury Publishing.
Householder, M. (2016). Inventing Americans in the age of discovery: narratives of encounter. Routledge.