The Columbian Exchange: Crash Course World History #23

Who wrote the Columbian Exchange

Alfred Crosby

Alfred Crosby

Alfred W. Crosby is a historian, professor and author of such books as The Columbian Exchange and Ecological Imperialism.

How many Native Americans died with the arrival of Europeans to the Americas

- More than 50%

- Estimate goes up to 90%

What was the two main reasons of the death of so many Native Americans

- European brutality

- Diseases brought by the Europeans

What were the diseases brought by the Europeans to the Americas

- Smallpox

- Measles and Mumps

- Typhus

- Chicken Pox

Smallpox

- An acute contagious viral disease, with fever and pustules usually leaving permanent scars

- It was effectively eradicated through vaccination by 1979.

Measles

- An infectious viral disease causing fever and a red rash on the skin

- Typically occurring in childhood.

Mumps

- A contagious and infectious viral disease causing swelling situated near the salivary glands in the face

- Risk of sterility (not able to produce children) in adult males.

Typhus

Rickettsial (small bacteria) disease transmitted by body lice and characterized by skin rash and high fever

Chicken Pox

- An infectious disease causing a mild fever and a rash of itchy inflamed blisters. It is caused by the herpes zoster virus and mainly affects children

Why did these diseases have such a huge impact on the Americans

The Natives were never exposed to these diseases before, making it difficult to cure and prevent

Venereal Syphilis

- Came about in 1493

- Came to Europe from the Americans

What was the main reason for the Europeans to come to America

In search for food?

What had the biggest effect on Eurasia

New-world Plants

Why did the world population double between 1650 and 1850

New food recipes that came about because of the newly discovered plants