Effects Of The Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange is know as “one of the more spectacular and significant ecological events of the past millenium” (Crosby). It had a wide impact on the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Africa. The dominant start to the Columbian Exchange was way before it truly started, millions of years ago, when pangaea began to drift apart and tear between the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. That caused major evolution. There were some animals, plants, foods, and substances that were only on one side of the world. The people of Europe, Asia, and Africa weren’t even acknowledged of the now called “Americas.” Then came along Christopher Columbus. He was the first traveler to come find the Americas besides the American Indians who were there since the
All of the diseases were being transmitted and passed along the New World where the innocent American Indians originally lived on their own. The worst known disease the Americas could’ve had without the newcomers would’ve been the common cold. After the suffering in the New World, it began to uprise in Europe. Then, after time, began to spread towards Asia and Africa. In a while, it was worldwide. The difference of the spread was when it affected them. Some sooner than others, some worse than others. However, throughout all of this, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas were affected by the spread of diseases. The diseases changed the environment of both worlds. They killed tens of thousands of people and had people terrified. It didn’t happen all at once either. Over a long period of time, the diseases swept the world. The New World and Old World’s changes are basically the same, except for the time of change and how badly it was
The Old World’s animals, horses, donkeys, barnyard fowl, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens, were all starting to be domesticated in the New World. The Americas by themselves had a few domesticated animals that included llamas, alpacas, dogs, a few species of fowl, guinea pigs, and turkeys. They had domesticated animals so they could put them to good use. For example, they used horses for an alternative form of transportation. The Old World domesticated animals that the Americas didn’t have. Together we introduced one another to new creatures and shared ideas. They all used their animals for meat, supplies, or transportation. Some animals, such as cows and chickens, produce other food items that are not meat that they could use. Animal domestication positively affected Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It allowed them to have more options for travel, food, and supplies. Having a wider variety of domesticated animals improved ways of