Positive And Negative Impacts Of The Columbian Exchange

The Columbian exchange has helped to double the world’s population between 1650 and 1850. The exchange introduced to the new and old worlds to a variety of things that undoubtedly has shaped the world in time that followed. The Columbian Exchange refers the time that resulted after Christopher Columbus and other explorers discovered the land that would become known as the Americas and many islands, such as Bermuda and the Caribbean. This age of exploration and discovery introduced the newly discovered lands and the old world to new people, animals, and plants, but not everything exchanged between the two worlds was beneficial to all parties involved. This essay will examine the positive and negative impact the Columbian Exchange had both†¦show more content†¦Upon arrival of the Bermuda Islands and the Americas, the rat thrived while simultaneously weakening the native people, who unlike the Europeans weren’t immune to these sorts of diseases. The black rat also introduced brought fleas that infested the dogs, cats, and rabbits in the new world. Rats weren’t the only stowaways that were mistakenly brought by the Europeans, insects also claimed passage to the New World. The list to include, the Asian cockroach, Japanese beetle, Dutch elm disease, and gypsy moth. Which brings up yet another item Columbus hasty packed for its voyage for the New World, disease. The natives of the land described the diseases spread from contact with the natives of the Old World as, â€Å"Invisible bullets†. These various diseases such as, smallpox, influenza, and malaria, would in fact to be more potent than manufactured weapons could ever be. Once the various diseases reach the natives, they spread rapidly as if with a vendetta. While the exact number of Native Americans and Islanders that fell prey to their own immune systems is unknown, the projected percentage is believed to be more than forty. J. R. McNeil describes how â€Å"on some Caribbean islands, the Native American population died out completely. In all, between 1492 and 1650, perhaps 90 percent of the first Americans had died†. Its undeniable that the spread of diseases, more specifically smallpox, worked in the favor of colonist. To see howShow MoreRelatedPositive Effects Of The Columbian Exchange703 Words   |  3 Pagesthe time period known as the Columbian Exchange. Most of what the Europeans took from the Exchange was good, but some of what they brought was devastating to the people in the New World. Although, this time period was very brutal for the Native Americans, the Columbian Exchange resulted in the transmitting of new technologies, an increase in remedies and cures for diseases, and a growth in resources such as food that helped to improve life. During the Columbian Exchange there were civilizations thatRead MoreThe Cultural Impacts Of The Columbian Exchange775 Words   |  4 PagesThe Columbian Exchange By definition, the Columbian Exchange is described as the transatlantic flow of goods, people, and diseases, beginning with Christopher Columbus’s voyages and discovery of the New World in 1492. (Give Me Liberty!) This interpretation, however, does not give this event the acknowledgement it deserves, as the effects of this complex transaction made a significant impact of the modern history of the world. It completely shaped the world humans live in today, from the languagesRead MoreThe Positive Effects Of The Columbian Exchange1643 Words   |  7 PagesThe term â€Å"Columbian Exchange† refers to the massive transfer of life between the Afro-Eurasian and American hemispheres that was precipitated by Columbus’ voyage to the New World . It was known as the widespread interchange of plants, animals, diseases, culture, human populations and technology between Europe and the Americas. After Columbus’ arrival to the Americas, the plant, animal and bacterial l ife began to mix between the Americas, which was also referred to as the â€Å"New World† and Europe,Read MoreColumbian Exchange Dbq889 Words   |  4 PagesColumbian Exchange BBQ The Columbian Exchange was a major milestone in the diffusion of the New and Old World. In 1492, Columbus arrived in the Bahamas(2), where he first came in contact with Native Americans. There, both exchanged their cultures such as crops, animals, metals, and germs, hence the name, Colombian Exchange. This has brought about both positive and negative effects. While some negative impacts are exemplified by the near-genocide of Amerindians, the demerits are outweighed by theRead MoreWhat Was The Columbian Exchange? Essay1618 Words   |  7 Pagesresult of this was The Columbian Exchange in which there was a large trade of animals, plants, technology, culture, slaves, diseases, and even new religions. This exchange effected the way Europeans, Americans, Asians, and Africans lived their daily lives. The Columbian exchange was by far one of the most paramount events in the history of world technology, agriculture, culture, and ecology. In this research paper the following will be answere d: What is the Columbian Exchange? Plants and animals transportedRead MorePositive Impact Of Christopher Columbus s Discoveries1247 Words   |  5 Pages Positive Impact of Christopher Columbus’s Discoveries The world is a better place because of Christopher Columbus’ important discoveries in the New World. His explorations resulted in the vast expansion of property for Europe, the exchange of goods and cultures between countries and a change in the worldview of geography. Columbus’s explorations were the catalyst for unprecedented trade known as the Columbian Exchange, which started the exchange of goods and ideas that would last for centuriesRead MorePositive Impact Of Christopher Columbus Discoveries1249 Words   |  5 PagesPositive Impact of Christopher Columbus’ Discoveries The world is a better place because of Christopher Columbus’ important discoveries in the New World. His explorations resulted in the vast expansion of property for Europe, the exchange of goods and cultures between countries and a change in the worldview of geography. Columbus’s explorations were the catalyst for unprecedented trade known as the Columbian Exchange, which started the exchange of goods and ideas that would last for centuriesRead MorePositive Effects Of The Columbian Exchange837 Words   |  4 PagesThe Columbian Exchange had many effects on the world we know and live in today. There are many views on whether these effects were a positive or negative impact on us. The exchange brought diseases and slavery, but it also brought new technologies and culture. Throughout history there have been conquerors and conquered, the Americas are no different. Though the impact on the natives was unpleasant, I believe the Columbian Exchange was a positive event for th e New World because it brought technologicalRead MoreThe Columbian Exchange : A System Of Exchanges Between Eurasia And The Americas938 Words   |  4 PagesThe Columbian Exchange was a system of exchanges between Eurasia and the Americas. It started when Christopher Columbus and other voyagers began to discover and populate the Americas, which is also referred to as the New World. During this time of discovery and expansion, newcomers began bringing plants, animals, technologies, and diseases along with them to the New World. However, it did not stop there. Once people began traveling back to the Eurasia, which is also known as the Old World, they wouldRead MoreChristopher Columbus Hero Or Villain1658 Words   |  7 Pagesthe New World, it was inhabited by native people, who were used by the Spaniards to help navigate and understand the landscape of the islands and also as workers to find gold. Columbus has a mixed legacy because he had positive and negative attributes; he made t he Columbian Exchange, which increased the amount of plant and animal species in the New World, and is an important explorer in American history, but also began the start of the African slave trade and caused population devastation due to slavery