What effects did the age of exploration have on Europe?

Question

For a project in school, I have to write a paper on the effects of the age of exploration on Europe and the Renaissance. It's difficult to find enough information to write a substantial paper. Does anybody know anything that can help? (sources, information)?

Answer 1

Not sure what level of school you are in. Paul Kennedy's "Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" is a terrific source for this topic. The focus I would use is the effect of vast treasure in gold and particularly silver which came from the New World exploration. What happens when you suddenly have much more "money" in circulation? - - - INFLATION!
Look at page 41 to the end of page 55 in Paul Kennedy's book. There's enough info for a great paper. Spain under the Habsburgs were the power of Europe in the 1500's during this Age of Exploration - which also corresponds to the Italian Renaissance. The Spanish spent much of the gold and silver stolen from Mexico and Peru to finance armies and naval warships. So the wealth flowed to the Dutch people of the Netherlands who would become a financial juggernaut by the mid 1600s. This should be excellent material for a substantial paper. Guaranteed "A". Good Luck!