Analyze The Social And Economic Effects Of The Columbian Exchange

The Mediterranean Sea had been the focus of European trade with other parts of the world for over 2000 years. In fact, until about the year 1500, the Atlantic Ocean had been a barrier, for Europeans. After 1492, this focus shifted to the Atlantic Ocean by routes south around the Cape of Good Hope, and by trans-Atlantic trade. European discoveries of new land meant an increase in commercial activity of the society from which the discoverer comes. Until then, most trading and manufacturing originated from Asia. The opening of the Atlantic introduced more sources and markets having a positive effect on European commerce. On a more specific level, the role of internal commerce in France, England, and the Spanish kingdoms exponentially. As Europeans recovered from the shock of the plague, the part of commerce and industry in the economy started to grow, particularly during the fifteenth century. This had
Thus, an important change was the increase in population. The migration of Europeans to America, contributed to a growth in population to as well. As the population grew, so did the middle class. This resulted in the emergence of a growing and more powerful middle class. The middle class now stood between nobles and peasants, and bridged the divide between the wealthy and the poor. This created a fragmented political structure which in turn led to the start of tenant farmers.

Additionally, many Jews were driven off their land. As a result, Jews found refuge in towns and cities where they became bankers, doctors, and scholars. While Jews were more protected than they had been previously, they were nevertheless exploited through steep taxes. Another important outcome of Europe's commercial revolution was that enough wealth was accumulated that set in motion the industrial revolution years later. In addition, economic abundance during this time period, helped finance new forms of cultural expression as