Columbian Exchange: Transfer of diseases, food plants, people, and animals between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Causes
European states sponsored sea-based explorations to find routes to the East Indies for spices.
Christopher Columbus's voyage westward led to contact between the Old World (Europe) and the New World (Americas), initiating the exchange.
Effects
Diseases
Transfer of Diseases: Europeans brought diseases to the Americas, causing widespread devastation among indigenous populations.
Malaria: Introduced by mosquitoes via enslaved Africans, killing millions.
Measles: Highly contagious, spread in densely populated areas, also killing millions.
Smallpox: Most devastating; spread from 1518, killing up to 90% of some populations.
Known as "The Great Dying" among indigenous Americans.
Debate on whether Europeans introduced diseases intentionally.
Plants and Food
Introduction to Americas: European settlers brought wheat, grapes, olives, bananas, and sugar.
Indigenous Americans adopted some new foods, diversifying diets and increasing lifespans.
Introduction to Europe: New World crops such as maize, potatoes, and manioc were introduced.
Diversified European diets, leading to healthier populations and population growth post-1770.
Cash Crops: Europeans grew crops in the Americas for export, such as sugar cane, using coerced labor like enslaved Africans.
Enslaved Africans brought foods like okra and rice to the Americas.
Animals
Introduction to the Americas: Europeans brought pigs, sheep, cattle, and horses.
These animals had no natural predators and multiplied rapidly, supporting future ranching economies.
Sheep caused environmental damage due to overgrazing, leading to erosion.
Horses: Positively impacted some indigenous societies by improving their hunting capabilities for buffalo.
Conclusion
The Columbian Exchange significantly altered world history through the movement of diseases, plants, foods, and animals, impacting populations and economies profoundly.
For further study and resources, referenced AP World History guides are available.