‘Kerry-Ann Jones-Ewan
Solomon Omo-Osagie
26/08/2020
The term “three worlds” is commonly used in the west to refer to Asia, Europe, and Africa. The three old worlds include American, Asian, and European societies. The three old worlds created a new world from 1492 to 1600 (Penty, 1917). Notably, there was a conflict between European kingdoms that led to an interest in trading posts and colonies to strengthen upcoming nations. The idea of expansionism by European kingdoms had an impact on western history because later, it introduced Europeans to American and African societies that had evolved for centuries. It also led to cultural interaction between the three societies that led to civilization. As such, a detailed explanation of the formation of three worlds is provided in this essay.
American societies comprise different communities that evolved over the years to be part of the three old worlds. To start with, Paleo-Indians were the first Asian to arrive in North America between 12,000 and 14 000 years ago. Their survival was dependent on hunting large animals. However, prehistoric animals started to disappear, and people started to practice agriculture. This change from hunting to agriculture led to the emergence of a sophisticated civilization. Agriculture was significant as it paved the way for the three old worlds. The Cultivation of various crops started by 9,000 years by south and Central American inhabitants (Penty, 1917). Later on, agriculture flourished and dominated the economy that led to the development of complex civilization. Mesoamerican civilization started to emerge 3,000 years ago in what is now known as Mexico. It led to the development of complex and powerful societies such as Mayas, Olmec, and Aztecs. Besides these societies, more great civilizations started to emerge in the north that includes the Anasazi people, which is now known as the states of New Mexico and Arizona and Moundbuilders from the Ohio River region. There was also the Mississippian culture of the southern and Midwestern United States (Mills at el., 2003).
African societies originated in West Africa (Guinea). Most people came to America as slaves. Lower Guinea was less cosmopolitan, while upper Guinea had a culture similar to that of the Mediterranean region. West Africa enslaved people in order to accumulate wealth and land. However, the nature of the slave trade changed in this region after contact with Europeans. There was the establishment of slave-trading posts to increase the market for slaves to meet the new demand for laves abroad. People in West Africa survive by hunting and agriculture (Mills at el., 2003). Both women and men shared agricultural duties. There was also a labor division where men participated in herding or hunting while women managed local commerce and performed household duties. The due-sex principle helped to develop new societies in lower Guinea. Moreover, complimentary females and male roles were stressed by West African beliefs.
European societies’ development and growth were influences by several factors, such as sexual division of labor, political, economic, and technological change. In 1346, there was a Bubonic plague that struck European that killed a third of their population. Leaders took advantage of this plague to consolidate power (Mills at el., 2003). it led to technological end economic changes as well as political innovation. It is at this point where European societies developed motives for exploration designed to Spread Christianity and to gain access to markets. Portuguese sailed to West Africa, where they established trading posts and plantations. On the other hand, European powers developed their interest in North America after engaging in trade with local Indians (Penty, 1917).
Kerry-Ann Jones-Ewan
H 101
Solomon Omo-Osagie
26/08/2020
. It led to the colonization of North America by European powers. European powers acquired slaves from West Africa that provided the workforce in the colonized states. These led to the three societies’ interaction as they exchanged their culture, furthering their way to civilization. The Discovery of West Africa by Portuguese and America by Christopher Columbus played a vital role in discovering three old words.
Colonization of Northern America started when the London Company sent out the first expedition to colonize Virginia in 1606. However, there were no first Europeans to explore North America as French Protestants were also known as Huguenots, had already built a colony in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1564. Spanish also noticed this intrusion, and they were ready to play a part in colonizing North America. As such, the Spanish established the military that wiped out French from Jacksonville. At this point, European nations became frequent visitors to North America (Delâge, 1993). French, English, and Basque fishing fleets were among the regular visitors who set semi-permanent camps along the coast from Newfoundland to Cape Cod. They also started trading with local Indians, where they exchanged manufactured goods with fur. For two decades, the European presence in North America was restricted within the semi-permanent camps. In the 1580s, there was an attempt to start a permanent colony by Englishmen in Roanoke Island, now known as North Carolina. Unfortunately, this attempt by English people was short-lived.
The influence of colonization in North America started in the early 1600s. In rapid succession, European nations started establishing colonies in North America. In 1607, the English started a colony in Chesapeake Bay (present-day Jamestown). In the following year, French-built Quebec, while the Dutch also had an interest in the same area known as New York. The settlement of these colonies in North America encouraged European Nations to send more colonists in the area. Therefore, different colonists were sent in different parts of North America (Delâge, 1993). In 1620, Plymouth Company was the first company to send more colonists to North America. In the following year (1621), the Dutch West India Company also sent their families and colonists to colonize North America. In the 1620s, more companies such as the Company of New France and Massachusetts Bay sent colonists in North America. With the overwhelming number of colonists in North America, successful colonization was inevitable. European powers developed the interest of exploiting lands in North America. Also, the availabilities of slaves from Africa played a vital role in colonizing North America.
References
America. Also, availabilities of slaves from Africa played a vital role in colonizing North America.
Delâge, D. (1993). Bitter Feast: Amerindians and Europeans in Northeastern North America, 1600-64. UBC Press.
Penty, A. J. (1917). Old worlds for new: A study of the post-industrial state. G. Allen & Unwin Limited.
Mills, K., & Grafton, A. (Eds.). (2003). Conversion: Old worlds and new (Vol. 3). University of Rochester Press.