The discovery of America and that of the passage to the East Indies

The discovery of America and that of the passage to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope, are the two (2) greatest events recorded in the history of [human] kind” – Adam Smith, in The Wealth of Nations,1776. Think about why he and many other notables supported this statement, especially concerning the discovery of America. What was so important about this New World across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe?  How did it change globalization in terms of trade, culture, societies, innovations, new and old world exchanges, and in other ways?

Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you:

1. Identify three (3) major aspects that demonstrate Old and New World exchanges. Explain your responses with specific examples and details.
2. Identify three (3) specific groups that were affected by this global event and provide two (2) examples for each group describing how the group was affected.
3. Summarize how this discovery affected the life of the average working American during the colonial period. Use specific examples and details.
4. Use at least three (3) academic references besides or in addition to the textbook.