columbian exchange

Columbian exchange

After 1492-

global exchange of goods, people, animals, crops and diseases between old and new world (europe, africa, asia= old, americas=new world)

following the voyages of christopher columbus

causes

european exploration and expansion

desire for wealth, trade and new resources

discovery of the americas by columbus (1492)

development of transatlantic trade routes

key exchanges from old to new world

16th century onwards

animals= horses, cattle, pigs

crops= sugar, wheat

diseases=smallpox, measles (devastated indigenous populations)

key exchanges from new to old world

16th century onwards

crops=potatoes, maize (corn), tomatoes

these crops improved diets and increased population in europe

key events

1492=columbus reaches the americas

16th century=exchange expands rapidly

led to colonization, expansion of trade and globalization

Evidence for crit a

up to 90% of indigenous populations died from disease

crops like potatoes supported population growth in europe

horses transformed native american lifestyles

sugar plantations expanded rapidly

negative impacts

short term:

spread of deadly diseases (smallpox)

enslavement and exploitation of indigenous peoples

long term:

collapse of indigenous populations and cultures

growth of the transatlantic slave trade

environmental changes

positive impacts

short term:

new foods and resources exchanges globally

long term: population growth due to new crops (potato, maize)

global trade networks expanded

cultural exchange between continents