“INDIAN GIVERS” or How the Discovery of America Changed the World ForeverIdeas found in The Indian Givers by Jack Weatherford. Ballatine Books. 1988

1. Economics: - The Potosi Mine on the Cerro Rico Mountain in Bolivia produced so much precious ore, the gold and silver extracted supports the world’s currencies even up to today!

America’s gold and silver help create the new basis of wealth from feudal land to cash in Europe

In 1500 Europe had $200 million in gold ( $2/person) by 1600 it had $16 billion ($600/person)

300% increase!!!!

Europe blows by the Moslem world which had been threatening swallow Europe only a few years before.

dependence on West African gold ends. As a result West Africa declines as the key center for trade between the West and East via the Middle East

2. Political Change - the businessman (bourgeoisie) replaces the landed noble in importance. businessman’s money supports a stronger king – Crown creates a modern state Bourgeoisie assert rights: more representative government

- power of the crown is strengthen and centralized by control of colonies in America the idea of the Nation State become important

- the Navy becomes important as the security for colonies and the trade between America and Europe. Navy is the symbol of a nation’s power and prestige

- Rise in nationalism and national rivalry

Me # 1

3. Socially - rise of the middle class and its effect on culture, values, and morals - America is the place to siphon off the malcontents of Europe: debtors, criminals, rebels, troublemakers

4. Health: Nutrition, Medicine, Hallucinogens

• Foodstuffs• Potato• Corn• Rice changes the health and lifestyle: Euros no longer so scrawny• Beans• Peanut• Chili peppers

• Natural products• Guano• cotton

CHINA? Everything is being out sourced !!

• Medicinal Drugs• Quinnine• ipecac• curare• salicin (aspirin)

Experts say that the origins of 90% of all the known medicinal drugs originated from America

today, most drugs are all man – made in laboratories – but based on medicinal qualities found in nature.• The Hard Stuff: American

Made!

• Coca leaf = cocaine

• cacao = chocolate

• tobacco

IRONY OF THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA:

1. Sought Negatively (by accident)2. Europe Forever Changed. America helps to Save and Strengthen Europe3. America becomes Europe’s Offspring … And eventually comes to surpass its “discoverer” in World importance?