Until I read Chapter 14 I had no idea that Europeans had so thoroughly impacted the Americas. Though I knew about certain things, such as spread of disease and the influence of trade, I had no idea about the absolute transfer of plants and animals to The Americas. It's interesting to think about what South America might have looked like had this not taken place. I was also surprised at the percentage of slaves that were sent to the Caribbean and Brazil as opposed to North America. Though the conditions of the slaves in the Caribbean were pretty abominable, they had some chance of freedom and a chance to blend Into society more than those in North America. Perhaps if slaves here had been able to have such opportunities race relations in the U.S. Would be different. The establishment of the Russian Empire was also interesting. Russians settled Siberia much like the Chinese settled other areas. They Russified the Indigenous siberians, who learned the Russian language and became Christians. By doing this, the Russians were able to maintain control over large areas and peoples. The Siberians Identified themselves with the Russians and caused little resistance.