European Influence On American Culture

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In modern time we often hear the phrase "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone". This was also true in the 1400's and 1500's, when many European nations left the comfort and security of their known lands, venturing into a world of the unknown. This became known as the Renaissance period, that built the cultural bridge between the Middle Ages and Modern History. Spain, France and England all took part of this voyage into the New World, all desiring the same thing: Power.
These European nations with little knowledge of the world beyond their homes set sail in the late 1400's. With hopes of finding a sea route to Asia for its spices to preserve their meat, gold and silver to enrich their country, knowledge to expand their mind, Empire to grow, and Christianity to spread. …show more content…

Spain's desire to preserve their food gave the necessary push to explore to find Asia's spices. In 1488 Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias, upon his return sighted the southern tip of Africa, which became know as the "Cape of Good Hope". It's discovery was a good omen that India could be reached by sea from Europe. Christopher Columbus an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer, set sail in 1492, sailing the ocean blue, discovering the New World. Columbus believed he found India but landed in The Americas calling those who lived their "Indians". Many made attempts to reach the riches of India but many failed, encountering the dangers at sea. On May 20, 1498 Vasco de Gama, a Portuguese navigator, became the first European to reach India by Sea. Due to the printing press, in 1532 news spread of Columbus and de Gama's voyages to the New World, causing more European countries to set sail on various

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