What factors allowed Europeans (particularly Spain, Portugal, France, and England) to dominate the globe from the 1400's to 1700's?
The most powerful European countries held lots of land. Because of Europe's small land size and with limited resources, European powers were encouraged, if not forced, to expand outward to build wealth. Several factors made it easier for the Europeans to expand throughout the world, which were researched by Jared Diamond. These included: guns and advanced weaponry, diseases that could spread like wildfire, and advanced cavalry maneuvers on highly trained war horses, which were alien to the natives. These were showcased in Jared Diamond's films titled; Guns, Germs, and Steel.
Europeans dominated the world during the 1400's to 1700's with their superior weaponry. The swords that Europeans used were made from steel, an iron alloy that was infused with carbon to make it strong. This allowed the sword to become longer and stronger, with out breaking, and to be sharpened to a finer edge. Guns were created to be a high velocity projectile weapon, with a loud bang and a flash of fire with the release of the bullet. They were essentially more portable cannons that could be carried by men and could shoot with slightly more accuracy.
Europeans not only brought superior weaponry and tactics with them, they brought diseases that had been around their countries for years. The natives of the land that Europe invaded had never been exposed to these diseases, so they had no immunity or even a resistance to the deadly infections and pathogens. This turned the Europeans into "accidental conquerors", where they had not meant to eliminate the native populations, but they also had no idea how susceptible the natives were to the diseases they brought overseas with them.
In addition to bringing over a few accidental helpers along from Europe, they brought horses with them. Horses were unique to the Eurasian continent, so the natives had never seen such large creatures that had humans on their backs that they thought the invaders were gods, who had meshed their forms with a beast. The Spanish conquistadors were masters at horse control and training. They required the horses to be able to be more agile, accelerate quickly, stop quickly, and turn on a dime, all to keep their riders safe in the heat of battle. These techniques were developed while herding cattle, where the herd could change direction or even charge at the riders at any moment, requiring the horse o quickly get out of the way for fear of being hit by the cattle. These techniques were amplified and refined for better use around a human enemy, and this created a fearsome war horse.
From the 1400's to the 1700's, Europe had more advanced technology than the people that they conquered, allowing them to take their superior weaponry, cavalry techniques, and even their diseases, to dominate the other civilizations.
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Europeans dominated the world during the 1400's to 1700's with their superior weaponry. The swords that Europeans used were made from steel, an iron alloy that was infused with carbon to make it strong. This allowed the sword to become longer and stronger, with out breaking, and to be sharpened to a finer edge. Guns were created to be a high velocity projectile weapon, with a loud bang and a flash of fire with the release of the bullet. They were essentially more portable cannons that could be carried by men and could shoot with slightly more accuracy.
Europeans not only brought superior weaponry and tactics with them, they brought diseases that had been around their countries for years. The natives of the land that Europe invaded had never been exposed to these diseases, so they had no immunity or even a resistance to the deadly infections and pathogens. This turned the Europeans into "accidental conquerors", where they had not meant to eliminate the native populations, but they also had no idea how susceptible the natives were to the diseases they brought overseas with them.
In addition to bringing over a few accidental helpers along from Europe, they brought horses with them. Horses were unique to the Eurasian continent, so the natives had never seen such large creatures that had humans on their backs that they thought the invaders were gods, who had meshed their forms with a beast. The Spanish conquistadors were masters at horse control and training. They required the horses to be able to be more agile, accelerate quickly, stop quickly, and turn on a dime, all to keep their riders safe in the heat of battle. These techniques were developed while herding cattle, where the herd could change direction or even charge at the riders at any moment, requiring the horse o quickly get out of the way for fear of being hit by the cattle. These techniques were amplified and refined for better use around a human enemy, and this created a fearsome war horse.
From the 1400's to the 1700's, Europe had more advanced technology than the people that they conquered, allowing them to take their superior weaponry, cavalry techniques, and even their diseases, to dominate the other civilizations.
http://www.infoperu.com/en/view.php?lang=en&p=161
http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/imperialism-cartoon-1882-granger.jpg
http://www.nuttyhistory.com/uploads/1/2/1/5/12150034/3823977_orig.jpg