The Impact of the Columbian Exchange: Transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Americas and Afro-Eurasia

Columbian Exchange, from _______ to ________: smallpox, livestock (pigs, cows, sheep), bees, bananas, coffee, sugar

Columbian Exchange, from “Old World” to Americas

The Columbian Exchange was a process of transfer of plants, animals, and diseases that occurred between the Americas and Afro-Eurasia during the period from 1492 to 1502, after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World.

The exchange of diseases was a significant part of the Columbian Exchange, and one of the most deadly diseases transferred from Afro-Eurasia to the Americas was smallpox. Smallpox decimated the indigenous populations of the Americas, causing the death of millions of people.

In addition to diseases, the Columbian Exchange also involved the transfer of animals. Livestock such as pigs, cows, and sheep were introduced to the Americas from Afro-Eurasia, where they had been domesticated for centuries. These animals had a significant impact on the economy and lifestyle of the indigenous populations of the Americas, who quickly adopted the use of these animals for farming, transportation, and food.

Other products that were transferred from Afro-Eurasia to the Americas during the Columbian Exchange include bees, which were introduced for honey production, and crops such as bananas, coffee, and sugar. These new crops helped to diversify the agricultural landscape in the Americas and had a significant impact on the economy and cuisine of the region.

Overall, the Columbian Exchange had a profound impact on the New and Old Worlds, causing significant social and economic changes that are still seen today.

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