Put
simply, this idea is best summarized through the Columbian Exchange. Foods, ideas, cultures and
diseases were all exchanged between the nation-states and the native cultures. The likes of
Spain, England, Portugal and France all played vital roles in the European exploration on places
such as the Americas, Canada and Africa.
For the nation-states, the positive
impacts were mainly found through cultural enrichment and economic advances. For instance,
bringing sugarcane and tobacco from the Americas sparked a gigantic economic improvement for
England, Spain and Portugal. In fact, sugar and tobacco became staples of the world economy
because of this exploration. Politically, the growth of the economies of England and Spain
essentially bolstered their position as world powers.
The situation for the
natives was much more grim. Although there were some positive effects, such as democratic forms
of government, religion and food, disease and death defined this relationship. Natives did not
have the proper immunity built up for the diseases that the explorers brought. Politically,
these native areas took on the leadership style of the nation-state. Moreover, these natives
were often caught and held as captive slaves. The demographics of these areas changed as
Europeans began to settle into the native areas and, sometimes, reproduce with the
locals.
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