Diffusion of Technology LEQ

LEQ 4.8
1
Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which cross-cultural interactions resulted in
the diffusion of technology and helped cause changes in patterns of trade and travel during that
era.

From the period 1450 to 1750, there were many advances in trade. Afro-Eurasia already
facilitated trade, but the addition of maritime commerce affected the entire world. The Americas
were “discovered” by Christopher Columbus, resulting in the Columbian exchange. This
discovery diversified people all over the world and made exploration widely popular. Without
these changes in trade, the world would not be as we know it today.

In this era, maritime trade was booming. The Chinese invention of the compass, the Muslim
creation of the astrolabe, and the countless variations of boats improved sea travel. The
Europeans led naval commerce by gathering these ideas and combining them. Europe was
often behind in development, so their enhanced trade led them to explore new land, namely
North America. Maritime empires rapidly grew as exploration increased in popularity.

“Exploration” is a more pleasant word for conquests. People did explore, but they did it intending
to find something of value. Encountering the Americas made exploration ten times more
appealing. There could be civilizations with humans to convert, land to expand, gold, people to
rule, and more. To remember why humans explored, just recall the three G’s: gold, God, and
glory.

The connection of the Eastern and Western hemispheres via Christopher Columbus was
dubbed the Columbian Exchange. While the Columbian exchange had many downsides, it also
had benefits. Of course, these benefits only applied to those not plagued with disease or forced
into slavery. Native American populations have decreased ever since, with their hunting habits
changing due to the animals brought over. In the Americas, African culture diffused throughout
the land because of the mass kidnappings. Even today, Americans still suffer the effects of
slavery through racism, classism, etc.

Cross-cultural connections were one of the leading factors responsible for the scientific and
technological advances in Afro-Eurasia and the Americas. Silk road networks helped to improve
transportation technologies and introduced paper-making and gunpowder technologies to Afro-
Eurasia. Indian-Ocean networks introduced maritime technologies such as the compass and
astrolabes for more accurate navigation. The Americas and Afro-Eurasia were equally altered
by each other and the items they traded.