Ampong, Mark Louis A.

Module 2
BS ChE | 2019-01764 TCW 005-21 The Contemporary World

1. Based from the eras presented, which do you think globalization may have actually started?
Identify the era of your answer and explain why you chose that.

I personally think that globalization actually started during the Medieval Ages/Middle Ages
when Christopher Columbus has started his exploration in the 15 th Century. Because of his
expedition, more countries were inspired to do more explorations, for their land expansion, to
gain more wealth, gain power, spread their religion, and form alliances with different countries.
However, before Columbus's journey, people went to neighboring and distant locations,
sharing ideas, goods, and traditions along the route. Between 50 BCE and 250 CE, a network
of historic trade routes known as the Silk Road connected China, Central Asia, and the
Mediterranen is possibly the most well-known early example of this.

Globalization might actually have started during those times but the thought of globalization
wasn’t really established. Through Columbus’ journey, commercial trade routes were opened
around the world. During this so-called “Age of Exploration”, Europeans set their sail routes
across the Atlantic Ocean, aiming to seek for shorter routes to Asian countries like India and
China. His explorations led to the discovery of two previously unknown continents, Asia and
Americas to Europeans and the quick colonization, exploration, and exploitation of the
Americas that followed.

Columbus's explorations were previously hailed as "voyages of discovery," but it is now

understood that contact with Europeans had terrible consequences for the native populations
of the Americas. Today, several American cities and areas observe both Columbus Day and
Indigenous Peoples' Day to acknowledge this complicated past. However, there is no disputing
Columbus' prowess as a navigator, and his expeditions continue to be amazing achievements
in marine discovery. His expedition has opened up opportunities across the world, and that
can’t be denied. Because of his quest, given by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain,
the idea of globalization has started — trade routes were established and some known countries
around the world opened their borders for possible trading of goods and services.