Final answer:
The term 'impact' in the context of the Age of Discovery refers to the significant effects on social, economic, and cultural structures of both Europeans and indigenous peoples. The Columbian Exchange, establishment of colonies, and exchange of ideas and knowledge had long-lasting influences. The Age of Discovery reshaped the world, impacting lifestyle, economy, and global relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of the Age of Discovery
The term impact generally refers to the effects or influence that an event, process, or phenomenon has on people, places, or things. During the Age of Discovery, the impact on Europeans and the peoples of the newly discovered lands was profound. The Age of Discovery, led by nations such as Spain and Portugal, marked an era of significant technological advances, exploration, and colonization from roughly 1450-1750.
The introduction of new metals, the establishment of colonies, and the Columbian Exchange greatly altered the economic landscape of Europe. This transatlantic exchange brought plants, animals, and diseases that changed lives and landscapes dramatically on both sides of the ocean, affecting social and economic structures. The impact was also cultural, as ideas and knowledge were exchanged, further shaping the modern world.
For the New World, the arrival of Europeans marked the beginning of dramatic changes, including the alteration of native cultures, economies, and environments. European colonization led to the exploitation of resources, establishment of European governance, and the tragic introduction of diseases to which indigenous populations had no immunity. On the other hand, Europe was significantly impacted by the influx of new agricultural products, wealth from colonies, and the expansion of trade networks. All of these changes have had lasting effects, shaping the global dynamics of power and culture that are still evident today.