THE COLUMBIA EXCHANGE

Ms. Payne

ACTIVITY
Find one of each of these items on you
Clothing Item School Supplies Technology Any different item you may have

Look for the tag and find out where the item was made

THE COLUMBIA EXCHANGE?

What?
The exchange of plants, animals, technology and diseases between the New and Old Worlds.

When?
After Christopher Columbus discovered the New World.

Who did it affect most?

The Native Americans and Europeans.

PLANTS
Potatoes and Maize (corn) were the two most important plants found in the New World. Other plants they found in the Americas are; beans, squash, chili peppers, sunflowers, peanuts, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, avocado, and pineapple.

The Europeans also brought plants over to the Americas that became very successful. The major one was Sugarcane.

ANIMALS
Before the exchange the domesticated animals the Natives had included the dog, guinea pigs, and turkeys. Through the exchange the Europeans brought over horses, dogs, pigs, cattle, chickens, sheep, and goats.

TECHNOLOGY
The Europeans taught the Native Americans their alphabet to improved communication and to education the Native Americans.

The Europeans also brought over farming equipment, such as the plow, to improve agriculture in the New World.
Weapons such as guns and knives made of steel and iron were introduced to the Native Americans to aid in hunting.

DISEASES
The Native Americans had no prior exposure to the common diseases of the Old World. When the Europeans traveled to the New World, they brought common European diseases that their immune systems had built up to. These diseases spread fast, infecting and killing many of the Natives.

COMMON DISEASES
Europe
Smallpox Measles Malaria Yellow Fever Influenza Chicken Pox

New World
Syphilis Polio Hepatitis Encephalitis

WHY IT HAPPENS
Instigated (started) because: Mercantilism
Countrys strength = Wealth Huge competition

Capitalism
Entrepreneur Out for their own benefit

1. Sell more = buy less 2. Create Manufactured goods Sell High $$$ 3. Take countries over & Take goods 4. Be self sufficient

Joint-Stock Companies Many people pool money split profits

British East India Company = Spices Virginia Company of London

GREAT CONVERGENCE
How cultures intermix because of their interactions in trade. They are changed by meeting other cultures.