Columbian Exchange
a series of interactions and adaptations among societies across the Atlantic, including plants, animals, disease, people, etc.
The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread exchange of plants, animals, technology, and ideas between the Old and New Worlds that occurred in the late 15th and early 16th centuries following Columbus’ voyage to the Americas. It is named after Columbus who is credited with initiating the exchanges.
Some of the plants and animals introduced to the New World from Europe and Africa during the Columbian Exchange included wheat, sugarcane, horses, cattle, pigs, and chickens. These plants and animals had a transformative impact on the diets and lifestyles of Native American populations.
Conversely, plants native to the Americas such as potatoes, maize, and sweet potatoes were introduced to Europe, Asia, and Africa, leading to more varied and nutritious diets in these regions. Tobacco, a New World plant, was also introduced to Europe during the Columbian Exchange, and eventually became a global commodity, fueling colonization and trade.
The Columbian Exchange had both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, many regions of the world benefited from newfound access to new foods and plants. However, the exchange also had devastating consequences for many Indigenous populations, as they were often exposed to new diseases to which they had no immunity. The decimation of Indigenous populations due to these diseases, along with the forced labor of people from Africa, is counted among the more negative outcomes of the Columbian Exchange.
More Answers:
European Goods that Transformed Native American Life: Horses, Guns, & Iron ToolsThe Encomienda System: A History of Labor Exploitation and its Legacy in Latin America
The Impact of the Columbian Exchange: Transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Americas and Afro-Eurasia