The Columbian Exchange

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In 1492, Columbus discovered the all but vacant Americas. There were undiscovered plants, such as potatoes, corn, and maize to be eaten. There was a plethora animals, such as bison, beaver, and fish, to be hunted. There were masses of peoples to be converted to Christianity and there were diseases to be fought. Soon, the interchanging of plants, animals, cultures, and disease between the Old and New World would form the Columbian Exchange. Most importantly, the effects on populations, economy, and cultural aspects, in both worlds were about to change history forever.
The populations of the New and Old Worlds were greatly affected by the Columbian Exchange. In the Old World, populations and life expectancies of individuals were flourishing. This was due to the exchanging of various edible plants between the two lands. In Europe, the introduction of the potato would greatly increase populations in many countries, especially Ireland. “The potato was originally grown in the Andes mountains” where the Natives first grew the tubular root (“Potato.”). Much of Europe was hesitant in growing and consuming the new food, but in 1794, during a wheat famine, soon came to love the new source of energy (“Potato.”) In Ireland, the potato quickly became a staple food as the population grew “by seven million in two centuries (“Potato.”).” With milk and approximately three acres of healthy potatoes planted, a family could be fed for two years, assuming no potatoes spoiled (“Potato.”). However, the Europeans weren’t the only ones who experienced the benefits of the Columbian Exchange. Maize was brought to Asia, causing rapid population growth, and wheat, beef, and plantain were of benefit to Native American’s nutrition (Crosby). However, Amerindian...

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...d, the tragedy of the trade can never be erased from America. Disease, plants, animals, and ideas were spread to both worlds, and only one seemed to benefit. However, America was not completely at loss. Nutrients such as potassium, which can be found in plantains, helped many Native’s recover from the epidemics they faced. Wheat was used to boost carbohydrates consumed. Horses were useful to Amerindians for transport and hunting. However, the Columbian Exchange left a large footprint that would affect history forever.

Works Cited

Crosby, Alfred. “The Columbian Exchange.” Gilder Lehrman. Institute of American History.
Web. 6 March 2014.

“Overview of the Columbian Exchange.” The Columbian Exchange. Weebly.com. Web. 6 March
2014.

“Potato.” The Columbian Exchange. Weebly.com. Web. 6 March 2014.

“Small Pox.” The Columbian Exchange. Weebly.com. Web. 6 March 2014.

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