The COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE, Spanish Exploration, and Conquest [APUSH Unit 1 Topic 4] 1.4

Overview of the Colombian Exchange

• The Colombian Exchange refers to the large-scale transfer of food, animals, minerals, people, and diseases between Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
• This exchange had profound impacts on the societies, economies, and environments of all involved continents.

Impact of Disease

• Introduction of Disease: When the Spanish arrived in the Americas, they brought deadly diseases, most notably smallpox.
• Population Decline: The native populations were decimated since they had no prior exposure or immunity to these diseases.
  • Example: Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire, had between 200,000 and 400,000 inhabitants and fell quickly to Hernán Cortés and his few hundred men.
  • The Arawak and Taino peoples suffered approximately 300,000 deaths due to smallpox.
  • Incas: 9 million in 1530 reduced to 500,000 in one century due to disease.
  • Combined population of Aztecs and Maya: 40 million in 1530 reduced to 3 million in 150 years due to disease effects.

Food Exchange

• American Contributions to Europe: The exchange introduced high-yield and nutritious crops including:

  • Maize (corn)
  • Tomatoes
  • Potatoes
  • Cacao (used for chocolate)
  • Tobacco (not food, but significant)

• European Contributions to the Americas: Foods like rice, wheat, soybeans, rye, oats, lemons, and oranges were sent over, especially significant were grain crops which became staples for populations.

Animal Exchange

• Introduction of Livestock: Europeans brought horses, pigs, cattle, and chickens.
  • The introduction of pigs and cattle changed Native American diets significantly.
  • Horses revolutionized farming and warfare among native populations.

Mineral Wealth

• Gold and Silver: Following the conquest of the Incan and Aztec empires, Spanish colonizers plundered vast quantities of gold and silver.
  • This influx of wealth enriched Spain and motivated further exploration, preventing stagnation in colonization efforts.

Economic Transformation in Europe

• Shift from Feudalism to Capitalism: The wealth from the New World contributed to the decline of feudal systems.
  • Pre-1500: Europe's economic system was largely based around feudalism, where peasants worked land in exchange for protection.
  • Post-1500: The emergence of capitalism characterized by private ownership and open market exchanges.

Human Transfer

• Enslavement of Peoples: The Colombian Exchange also involved the movement of people, especially the enslavement of Native Americans and Africans.
  • Christopher Columbus initiated the transfer of Native Americans back to Spain.
  • Africans were captured and transported through the Middle Passage to the Americas under brutal conditions. Many perished from disease and starvation before arriving.

Spanish Mercantilism

• Economic Policies: Spanish explorations were financed through mercantilism, characterized by state direction and intervention.
  • As time progressed, other nations shifted to enabling exploration via joint-stock companies, which allowed for private funding of exploration and colonization.

Conclusion

• The Colombian Exchange drastically transformed all societies involved through various exchanges of disease, food, animals, wealth, and the movement of people, setting the stage for future global interactions and colonial endeavors.