3.5 The Consequences of the Discoveries

Owing to the geographical exploration and discoveries, Europeans were led to Asia, Africa and America. Thus different results were produced in different places. While America was speedily Europeanized, Asia, and Africa were affected less promptly and less deeply.

After the discovery of the new routes, Europe secured plentiful supplies of not only old and essential articles, but also of many new ones. There was a wide and extensive market in Europe of articles such as Indian textiles and Persian carpets. Several new articles such as potatoes, chocolate, cocoa, quinine, tobacco, cane-sugar, furs, whale oil, indigo, tea, coffee, porcelain, cotton silks and spices were introduced in Europe. With the increase in the number and quantities of commodities entering Europe, there was a decline in prices. Europeans began to consume many of the originally scarce foreign goods as staple commodities.

Exhibit 3.3
Voyages of Exploration
Click here to enlarge

After the discovery of the new routes, Europe secured plentiful supplies of not only old and essential articles, but also of many new ones. There was a wide and extensive market in Europe of articles such as Indian textiles and Persian carpets. Several new articles such as potatoes, chocolate, cocoa, quinine, tobacco, cane-sugar, furs, whale oil, indigo, tea, coffee, porcelain, cotton silks and spices were introduced in Europe. With the increase in the number and quantities of commodities entering Europe, there was a decline in prices. Europeans began to consume many of the originally scarce foreign goods as staple commodities.

Index

3.0 Introduction
3.1 Importance of Geographical Discoveries
3.2 Causes of Geographical Discoveries
3.3 Early Travelers to the Far East
3.4 Important Geographical Discoveries
3.5 The Consequences of the Discoveries
3.6 Dates & Events
3.7 Points to Remember

Chapter 4