New World

Definition

The New World refers to the continents of North and South America, which were largely unknown to Europeans prior to the voyages of exploration in the late 15th century. This term is significant as it highlights the transformative impact of exploration on science, culture, and economy, as well as the demand for accurate documentation of the diverse flora, fauna, and indigenous peoples encountered during these explorations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492 marked a turning point in global exploration and opened up new trade routes.
2. Explorers such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro documented their encounters with Native American civilizations, leading to increased interest in scientific documentation.
3. The New World was rich in biodiversity, prompting European botanists and naturalists to collect and study new plant species for medicinal and agricultural purposes.
4. The influx of new resources from the New World significantly boosted European economies, leading to the rise of mercantilism and colonial expansion.
5. The exploration of the New World also raised ethical questions about colonization, indigenous rights, and the impacts of European settlement on native populations.

Review Questions

• How did the exploration of the New World influence scientific documentation during the late 15th and early 16th centuries?
  • The exploration of the New World spurred a significant demand for scientific documentation as European explorers encountered diverse ecosystems and indigenous peoples. This led to detailed observations and collections of new plant and animal species, which were recorded by explorers and naturalists. The desire to understand these newly discovered lands resulted in the creation of scientific texts, illustrations, and maps that enriched European knowledge and fueled further explorations.
• Evaluate the impact of the Columbian Exchange on European society in relation to discoveries made in the New World.
  • The Columbian Exchange profoundly transformed European society by introducing new crops like potatoes and maize, which became staples in various diets and contributed to population growth. Additionally, this exchange facilitated not only economic changes but also cultural shifts as Europeans adopted new foods and goods from the Americas. The resulting agricultural surplus helped to foster urbanization and changes in social structures within Europe, ultimately reshaping European lifestyles and economies.
• Synthesize how advancements in scientific illustration emerged from encounters in the New World and their long-term effects on European thought.
  • Advancements in scientific illustration were catalyzed by encounters in the New World as artists and scientists sought to accurately depict newly discovered flora, fauna, and indigenous cultures. These illustrations became critical for understanding biodiversity and promoted a more empirical approach to science during the Scientific Revolution. Over time, this emphasis on visual documentation influenced not only scientific inquiry but also art, education, and public awareness about natural history, leading to a more informed society that valued observation as a means to acquire knowledge.

Related terms

Columbian Exchange: The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Columbus's voyages.

Scientific Revolution: A period of major scientific advancement in the 16th and 17th centuries that transformed views of society and nature, heavily influenced by discoveries made in the New World.

Mappa Mundi: A medieval European map that depicted the known world before extensive exploration; these maps evolved dramatically with new knowledge gained from the New World.