Columbian Exchange

            Before 1492, “World History” could not really be discussed. At best, discussion could go as far as the ocean and contain information about different regions, but not from the whole world. From the start of  European expansion and exploration however,  it was inevitable for the new world and old worlds to clash at some point. When Christopher Columbus had his initial exploration to the New World, the clash began with full force. The Columbian Exchange opened light to many new opportunities in the trade of goods, people, and ideas that would transform the modern world of the Americas. However, with these positive trades also came a dangerous handful of negatives such as disease and the inhumane treatment of human lives. Overall, the inevitable clash of New and Old Worlds both hurt and helped while transforming and setting the stage for the future.

The diseases from the Europeans
 were detrimental to the native race.

            Disease is said to be the one factor that had the most effect on the lives of the New and Old worlds. It is estimated that over half, and some even project up to eighty percent, of the Native population was killed off  because of the “biological isolation and the limited intrusion of infectious diseases.” (Crouthamel) The Native Americans had never been introduces to diseases such as influenza, typhoid, measles, mumps and smallpox so that when every disease came at the same time, the Natives were defenseless. Diseases were spread at a high rate because of close quarters with one another, unsanitary conditions, and war that broke out between different groups of people.  The Native’s transaction of diseases to the Europeans was limited and mostly stopped at the spread of syphilis.   

          The more fruitful exchanges that went on during the Columbian exchange were the trading of food sources including both plant and animals and ideas of how best to product a harvest of these things.When the Europeans came to the Americas, the natives had a few animal servants such as dogs, camels, guinea pig, and a several kinds of fowl. However, when the Europeans came, they introduced horses, pigs, cattle, chickens, sheep, and goats. These animals meant a new way of transportation, new way to have labor opportunities, and a new food source. (Cory)  

This explains the exchange between New and Old Worlds.

          One main source of exchange that Europeans could not get enough of was tobacco. If the Europeans killed thousands with disease, the natives killed just as many Europeans from addiction to tobacco. Tobacco became a main source of economics, which created money and jobs for the Europeans who moved to the New World. (Roark)
          The Columbian Exchange was both positive and negative on both Worlds. In class, Julianna said, "People of both worlds learned to adapt to the culture that was being instilled on one another." This quote explains the start of America as we know it today. 

Bibliography

Cory, Malone, Sarah Gray, Sean Ross, and Katie Ryan. "Animals." The Colombian Exchange. Gettysburg College, n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2013.

Crouthamel, Steven J. "Columbian Exchanges." Columbian Exchanges. Palomar College, 2003. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.

Roark, James L. ., Michael P. Johnson, Patricia C. Cohen, Sarah Stage, and Susan M. Hartmann. "Europeans Encounter The New World." The American Promise. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2012. 39-40. Print.