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Apr 26, 1492
Columbus sailed to the Americas/ Columbian Exchange
Columbus reached the Caribbean and spread some Spanish influence among the natives. Europeans introduced animals and diseases, while the Native Americans spread New World crops. -
Apr 26, 1500
Encomienda system
The Spanish established an economic system with the Indians to control labor -
Transatlantic slave trade
Africans were traded as slaves between the Americas and Europe. Also, goods were traded back to Africa, such as food. -
Dutch establish colony at Cape of Good Hope
It was originally just economic, but the Dutch expanded as farmers did. -
Portugal influences Brazil
Gold was discovered in Brazil and Portugal monopolized it, making Brazil a major supplier of raw goods -
Religious syncretism
Africans were influenced by Christianity from Portugal/ Spain, for example. However, they still retained some African culture of religious beliefs.