Long-term Effects

Once Columbus opened the door, European nations took over the Americas.

On the Indigenous

Most of the indigenous cultures that lived in the Americas at the time of Columbus are either extinct, or, no longer in control of much territory. Many Indians were relegated to the bottom of the social pyramid in Spanish colonies (see pyramid below).

Indigenous people were often forced off their lands and brought into slavery. In some cases, they were relocated to other lands altogether. Many native cultures, like the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas, had established very advanced cultures. Nothing but a precious few artifacts remain from those lost civilizations as the Europeans came to dominate the land.

For Europe

North America and South America went from being a wide-open territory controlled by thousands of Native American groups to a region under the control of a hand full of European nations. The Spanish, Portuguese, English, French, and Dutch came to take over different regions of these two continents. The resources they gained only enabled European nations to become stronger and more powerful. Europe began to control the global trade, and that continues into today. While Asia and the United States have become growing powers, much of the world's economic and societal ideals emanate from Europe. Rather than North and South America reflecting indigenous cultures, these continents are clearly modeled on European governments, society, and economic systems.

Current State of Region

Many Native American groups are still trying to reestablish their great ways of the past. In the United States, the Native American tribes that were moved off their lands were forced into reservations. Here, they keep some aspects of their culture alive, but they often struggle within American society. Alcoholism and poverty rates are very high on these reservations. While Europe is currently dealing with significant financial difficulties, they are in a far better position than the indigenous people they so greatly affected. Some say that while the Europeans did the most damage to the indigenous in the short-term, the natives continue to impact European and American society. The "Old World" was addicted to tobacco as soon as they gained control of it. This persists today as millions across the Old World continents use tobacco in some form - cigarettes, cigars, chew, etc. Abuse of tobacco is one of the leading causes of cancer. This may be the one major negative consequence faced by the Old World after the Age of Exploration.

Works Cited:
"Lies My Teacher Told Me," by James Loewen
Biography.com
History.com
The Journal of Christopher Columbus