Columbian Exchange

            There is no doubt that the contact between Europeans and indigenous peoples transformed both peoples in immeasurable ways. It is easier to recognize the impact Europeans had on Native peoples because many of the changes that they imposed still exist today, and most indigenous cultures have been exterminated. However, not to say that native peoples of North and South America did not influence Europeans. In fact they had huge impacts on the way Europeans viewed the world economically, politically, and culturally. .
             Most obvious was the economical opportunities that existed in the "new world". Word spread rapidly of the riches the new world had to offer when Columbus returned to Spain. This excited many European nations and provoked them to take action to claim their own fortunes. Spain quickly amassed great wealth in gold and silver strengthening their over all power globally. The French later began to trade goods for various furs to be sent back to France where such items were highly adored. The Dutch used the abundance of trees to build the greatest merchant fleet in the world, and the English were determined to settle in this new world and prosper. Eventually the new world was not only seen for its riches but was also viewed as a place to start a new life; free and separate from the catholic majority in Europe.
             Europeans who wanted to separate themselves from the overpowering Roman Catholic Church soon sought this new land as a religious refuge. This movement led by members of the Anglican Church or "Puritans" sparked a new reason for many to come to this hostile and uncompromising land. It provided an opening for the minority peoples of Europe to leave their oppression and start a new way of freedom in a new land.
             Beyond the scopes of politics and economics native peoples influenced European diets, habits and cultures. When settlers came to North America many of them were unprepared for the harsh conditions and foreign landscape.