this post was submitted on 02 Aug 2025
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History Memes

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No one can claim having more superior jeans. Even the feared Mongols fell out of fashion. (europe.pub)
submitted 2 months ago by TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world to c/historymemes@lemmy.world
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[โ€“] testfactor@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Could be reverse causality? Rich and industrializing countries have the money and resources to send out explorers and start colonies.

If you're not on the rise already, you're probably not throwing away ships on suicide missions.

[โ€“] PugJesus@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Prestige projects are an ancient endeavor, though. The Norse, for example, were not exactly awash in riches during the height of their exploratory voyages, but a few desperate men or leaders with little else to their name (or boundless ambition) can make a massive difference.

In any case, Europe's economic success is largely concentrated post-Columbus; at the time of Columbus, Europe was not particularly wealthy compared to the competing states. There are European advantages which contributed to the decision, but I don't think wealth or industry is a compelling factor.