Columbian Exchange Research PDF

Historical Context Before the Columbian Exchange, the world was divided into distinct ecosystems and cultures with limited interaction: ​ The Americas had unique plants (e.g., potatoes, maize, tomatoes) and animals (e.g., llamas, turkeys) unknown to Eurasia and Africa. ​ Eurasia and Afri...

Historical Context Before the Columbian Exchange, the world was divided into distinct ecosystems and cultures with limited interaction: ​ The Americas had unique plants (e.g., potatoes, maize, tomatoes) and animals (e.g., llamas, turkeys) unknown to Eurasia and Africa. ​ Eurasia and Africa had their own set of crops (e.g., wheat, rice) and domesticated animals (e.g., horses, cattle) absent in the Americas. ​ Trade routes like the Silk Road connected parts of Eurasia and Africa, but the Americas remained isolated. Key Factors Leading to the Columbian Exchange Economic Factors ​ Search for new trade routes to Asia ​ Desire for gold, silver, and spices ​ Competition among European nations for resources and wealth Social Factors ​ Population growth in Europe increased demand for food and resources ​ Religious motivations (spreading Christianity) ​ Curiosity and desire for knowledge about unknown lands Technological Factors ​ Advancements in shipbuilding (e.g., caravels) ​ Improvements in navigation tools (e.g., astrolabe, compass) ​ Development of more accurate maps Political Factors ​ Rivalry between European powers (Spain, Portugal, England, France) ​ Desire for territorial expansion and colonization ​ Papal Bulls dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal The Columbian Exchange as a Turning Point Voyages of Columbus and Magellan ​ Christopher Columbus's four voyages (1492-1504) established Spanish presence in the Caribbean ​ Ferdinand Magellan's expedition (1519-1522) circumnavigated the globe, proving Earth's spherical nature Exchange of Plants, Animals, and Diseases From the Americas to Eurasia/Africa: ​ Plants: Potatoes, maize (corn), tomatoes, cacao, tobacco, peanuts ​ Animals: Turkeys, llamas, alpacas From Eurasia/Africa to the Americas: ​ Plants: Wheat, rice, sugar cane, coffee ​ Animals: Horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens ​ Diseases: Smallpox, measles, influenza (devastating to Native American populations) Exchange of Culture ​ New ethnic/racial groups emerged in Latin America, blending Indigenous Americans, European colonists, and African slaves ​ Development of new languages and cultural practices (e.g., Jamaican Patois) ​ Introduction of European religions, particularly Christianity, to the Americas Development of New Economic Systems ​ Establishment of trading companies (e.g., Hudson's Bay Company, Dutch East India Company) ​ Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade ​ Plantation system in the Americas ​ Rise of mercantilism and early capitalism ​ Triangular trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas The Columbian Exchange profoundly transformed global ecology, agriculture, culture, and economics, marking a significant turning point in world history. Its effects continue to shape our world today, from the foods we eat to the demographic composition of entire continents.