Differences: The main differences between these eras were in the economy in the new world. The first being the labor source. From 1450 to 1700, Native Americans were the primary source of coerced labor. Thousands upon thousands of Native Americans worked, and died, working for Europeans. Much of this was because of disease and over half of the native population died of disease. This vacuum in labor caused Europeans to import another. From 1750 to the mid
1800’s, thousands of Africans were imported as slaves to work for Europeans in various fields of labor, but mostly large scale plantation farming. Another significant difference is what the major economic driver was. From 1450 to 1750 the main economic drive was precious metals. Native Americans were forced to mine for these metals. From 1750 to 1900, the economy became more agriculturally based.
Uniqueness: The period of 1450 to 1750 is famous for several things. The two most notable are the renaissance and the exploration of the new worlds. The renaissance was a period of time that prized learning and culture. Economic prosperity facilitated the ability to learn and appreciate various cultural things such as art and theater. The exploration of the new world redefined the world as we know it today. This exploration gave