At the time the Americas were discovered by European states the pennisula was surrounded by powerful Moslem states and apparently infinite steppe-land limiting its economic and political progress (this can be contested), but from the discovery Europe took flight. Would Europe have taken flight anyway especially taking into account Portugeuse successes in the Far East? Did comparative European stability come from looking outside of the pennisula, and did the Late Renaissance occur because the Late Medieval mind was fully opened through exploring and controlling new land?
This is really a good question and would like to learn about others have to say.
Actually, I contend that the reverse is more likely to be the case: it was European ideas that were spread in the Americas at that time. Puritans constituted the majority of early European settlers; as a result, ideas like secularism and the many theories of resistance to tyranny gained currency. It was these very ideas that led to capital events for American history like the Revolution and the ensuing Declaration of Independence. Please note the Founding Fathers were greatly influenced by thinkers like Milton and Locke. I hope I have answered your question.
While this is very true, its not quite the point of the question, but nonetheless extremely welcome.
But on the issue of the development of ideas, American experience had an impact on English/European ideas of freedom that resulted in both the American Revolution and the French. Of course, Locke's ideas were essential in the formation of the USA, although if the Aztecs and Incas felt good about European greed and malevolence is another matter.
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