European And West African Americans Similarities

The “discovery” of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492 linked the worlds of Europeans, West Africans and Native American Indians. The Portuguese and Spaniards led the colonization of the Americas, but were soon followed by the French, English and Dutch. The slave trade created a trading triangle in between Europe, Africa and the Americas. European and West African societies are similar in their hierarchal social order, involvement in the slave trade and farming societies; yet differ in religious organization and expansionist policies. When comparing Europe to Native American Indians, they share an involvement in trade and farming, while differing in religions and government. The traditional European society and the West African