1. What is History? The Journey of Man Catastrophe! The Columbian Exchange A Look at:
2. The Journey of Man Dr. Spencer Wells explores the origins of modern man by tracing human gene mutations from Africa through South Asia and Australia to Europe, Siberia and eventually the Americas. The San Bushmen of the Kalahari region are thought to be the oldest existing population displaying in their genetic purity the way humans may have been many thousands of years ago. Spencer calls them the “genetic Adam” referring to the possibility that we all came from San-like people before divergent tribes left Africa.
3. But what does this really mean?... In tracing the route of our distant ancestors across treacherous terrain to populate six continents, Dr. Spencer Wells shows us that we are not as different as we may have been lead to believe. Our superficial differences of skin color and facial characteristics are relatively new in the grand scheme of human evolution and we all trace back to a single point of origin.
4. Dr. Wells’ Conflict Throughout his quest to trace the path of man around the globe, Dr. Wells took many opportunities to inform indigenous people in different areas of his findings. Sometimes this was met with some resistance when his science clashed with traditional beliefs held for generations. Perhaps there can be different “truths”?
5. Catastrophe! Was it a meteor? Was it an asteroid? Was it a volcano? Scientists attempt to deduce what caused worldwide environmental and social problems in the mid sixth century by examining accounts from the individuals living at the time as well as scientific data such as tree rings and ice core samples.
6. Based on first hand accounts from China and sulfur found in ice core samples, a conclusion was reached that this catastrophic change was almost certainly the result of an enormous volcanic explosion; probably the infamous Krakatoa in Indonesia. The environmental impacts of this eruption were felt around the world for decades and changed the course of history in many ways…
7. Just a few pieces of history that are thought to have been the result of (or at least affected by) this eruption… Affecting the warring factions in Arabia around the time of Mohammad, the eruption may have made the spread of Islam inevitable. The Avars, excellent horsemen residing in Central and Eastern Europe, were overtaken by the Turks. A drought in present day Mexico leads to malnutrition for the young people of Teotihuacan eventually resulting in the downfall of the great metropolis. Climate changes contributed to flourishing rat populations in Europe enabling the spread of the plague.
8. The Columbian Exchange A detailed look at what really crossed the Atlantic when Columbus bridged the gap between the Old World and the New and what impact this has had on both worlds since. Was is included in the Columbian Exchange? Plants. Food. Animals. Even people!
9. It was said that rather than radically changing both the Old and the New World, Columbus instead turned the two worlds into one. But what impact did this exchange have?... Cassava brought from the New World to Africa had an impact similar to that of the potato in Europe by providing a hearty crop able to sustain large populations of poor people who otherwise may not have been able to eat. Corn, chilis, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, peanuts, tomatoes, and many kinds of beans also made the trip back to the Old World Potatoes were brought to the new world and became a staple crop of the poor all over Europe and especially Ireland resulting in a population boom. Sugar cane farming and production were brought to the sweltering tropics of the New World and with it, African slaves to do the work. The impact these Africans have had on New World culture is immeasurable . Horses, cattle and wheat were brought to the new world forever changing the indigenous culture and shaping our modern perception of a “Native American”.
10. Taking the Good with the Bad The documentary focused on many of the positive aspects of the Columbian exchange including benefits to the Old World, contributions to cuisine around the world, etc, but seemed to gloss over some very tangible and horrific aspects of this exchange: the genocide (through force and disease) of Native Americans and the burden born on the backs of Africans used as slaves in the New World.
