2. What is the Columbian Exchange?
• Trading of Culture
• Named after Christopher Columbus
• The Exchange of crops, good, animals, and
diseases
• Began after Columbus voyage in 1492
4. How did it begin?
• Christopher Columbus arrives in the New
World in 1492.
• Begins and exchange between the Old World
(Europe) and the New World (the Americas).
• As the Spanish Empire spreads- the native
people begin to decline.
– Indigenous population = native people
• African slaves also become part of this
exchange.
6. What was the Impact?
• Turn to some one next to you and discuss:
• What are some positive impacts of the
exchange on the Natives and the Europeans?
• What do you think are some of the negative
impacts?
7. Decline of Indigenous Population
• New diseases were introduced into Latin
America by European Explorers.
• This included smallpox, measles, whooping
cough, typhoid fever, and influenza.
• Native Americans did not have an immunity to
these diseases and they died by the millions.
• Healers did not know how to treat the
diseases.
• Between 1492 and 1650, more than 80% of
Native Americans died of European diseases.
8. Agricultural Changes
• Brought new foods both to Europe and Latin
America.
• Europe was introduced to corn, tomatoes,
peppers, pumpkins, squash, and cacao beans
(chocolate)
• Natives were introduced to wheat, barley,
sugarcane, coffee, peaches, and livestock such as
pigs, sheep, and cattle.
• Farming changed in the Americas and large
plantations with slave labor were started.
9. Introduction of the Horse
• Horses changed the life of Native Americans
• Horses were used for transportation and labor
• Allowed for them to hunt buffalo (food
source)
• Used for battle and trade
• Remained the major mode of transportation
until the 20th century.
• We measure engines with “horsepower”
