The Columbian Exchange The Beginning of a great

The Columbian Exchange The Beginning of a great exchange between the Old World (Europe) and the New World (the Americas). 1

The Columbian Exchange To what does the phrase “Columbian Exchange” refer? 2

The Columbian Exchange In one sense, the “Columbian Exchange” refers to PRODUCTS that were exchanged between the New and Old Worlds after Columbus’ arrival in the Americas. 3

The Columbian Exchange BUT in A MORE COMPLETE sense, the “Columbian Exchange” refers to EVERYTHING that was exchanged … including DISEASES. 4

The Columbian Exchange HERE’S THE WAY IT WORKED… 5

Following Columbus’ voyages of discovery, Spanish conquistadors encountered the Aztec and Incan empires in the New World. Aztec Empire Mayan States Inca Empire In 1492, two major empires in the Americas, the Aztecs and the Inca, ruled many people.

States and Empires in 1519 CE States & Empires 7

By 1600, the Spanish conquistadors had conquered the Aztec and Incan empires and extended Spain’s territorial claims even further. 8

The Columbian Exchange Population & Environment Plants, animals, and micro-organisms of the “Old World” were exchanged with those of the Americas across the 9 oceans.

The Columbian Exchange Population & Environment New crops, plants, and animals were exchanged world-wide. Luxury products like coffee, chocolate, tea, tobacco, and spices meant new cultural habits for those with money to spend. 10

Trade & Manufacturing Trade in the new products expanded world-wide. 11

The Columbian Exchange Population & Environment HOWEVER… As was mentioned earlier, new crops, plants, and animals were not the only things exchanged worldwide. 12

The Columbian Exchange Population & Environment SO, when discussing the Columbian Exchange, we must include as part of the exchange new diseases which were an unintended consequence of cultural interaction. 13

The Columbian Exchange Population & Environment "Old World" diseases had a devastating impact on Native American populations because they had no natural immunity to the new diseases. The smallpox epidemic is believed to have resulted in the largest death tolls among Native Americans, surpassing any wars and far exceeding the mortality from the Black Death. 14

The Columbian Exchange Population & Environment Population of New World before the arrival of Columbus is estimated between 50 and 100 million. It is estimated that upwards of 80– 95 percent of the Native American population was decimated within the first 100– 150 years following 1492. The most affected regions in the Americas lost 100% of their population. Estimated Population Loss ~ 63, 750, 000 15

The Columbian Exchange Population & Environment A more complete list of things exchanged must include: Crops, Plants, Animals, People (slaves) Cultural characteristics, and diseases among other things 16

Increased global interaction sped up the process of world change. From 1400 to 1800 the rate of change accelerated more rapidly in many areas of human activity. Population & Environment Trade & Manufacturing 17 Ideas & Inventions States & Empires

Summary: The Columbian Exchange contributed to global exchange which led to accelerating world change. World trade volume increased dramatically and began to shift its center from Asia to the Atlantic region. States increased their power with gunpowder conquests and new sources of mercantile wealth. In Europe, rising economic elites enjoyed growing wealth, which led them to challenge old landed aristocracies and monarchs. 18