«
7
Helpful
»
0
Unhelpful
in category History

Did Europeans become prosperous by colonising the Americas?

3 Answers
3 Answers
12 Helpful
0 Unhelpful

The Europeans seemed to have first targeted the Americas, a basic civilisation where Europe had an advantage in terms of technology - muskets, canons etc The ability to manufacture church bells was transferred to military technology that gave them the edge. Once dominating the Americas they had slave labour, land and resources... Show more >>

by
( 8.5k points):
15 Helpful
0 Unhelpful

I would say two things about this. First, while this did contribute to the relative wealth of the West and the relative poverty of other cultures, it begs the question of how the West became powerful enough to engage in such "plunder" to begin with. You still have to ask the question, how did the West become more powerful? Show more >>

by
( 8.5k points):
3 Helpful
2 Unhelpful

That's a good story - theft from one area financed subsequent thefts from others. But it ignores a few important points, in my opinion. First, the net wealth transfer from the Americas to Europe was mainly in the form of gold and silver for a very long time and for a long time (100+ years) almost all to Spain. Second, gold... Show more >>

User Settings


What we provide!

Vote Content

Great answers start with great insights. Content becomes intriguing when it is voted up or down - ensuring the best answers are always at the top.

Multiple Perspectives

Questions are answered by people with a deep interest in the subject. People from around the world review questions, post answers and add comments.

An authoritative community

Be part of and influence the most important global discussion that is defining our generation and generations to come

Join Now !

Update chat message

Message

Delete chat message

Are you sure you want to delete this message?

...