The Positive And Negative Effects Of The Columbian Exchange

As Europeans sailed across the sea, the communication between the New World and the Old World increased. This was known as the Columbian Exchange. The European settlement in America left a profound effect. The aftermath of Columbian Exchange can be narrowed down to three most prominent effects such as diseases, slavery and agriculture. The Columbian Exchange marks its date from the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America in 1942. It trademarks the periods of cultural and biological changes which transmitted European and Native Americans ways of life. The Columbian Exchange was the exchange of religion, technology, culture and diseases between the New World and the Old World. The Columbian Exchange brought some positive and negative changes.

They enslaved over 11million Africans. As a lot of land was set up for agriculture and plantation, that is why the need for laborers was huge. Before, Native Americans used to work as slaves but when they died because of the diseases, they started looking for more slaves and turned to Africa. Atlantic slave trade was also developed and Africans used to sell other Africans as slaves to the Europeans. Because of the Columbian Exchange, Africa was introduced to potatoes and other new crops. Taking so many slaves from Africa destroyed the African economy. As a lot of Americans were killed because of the diseases, so here, between Europe and Africa, disease was not the issue and they kind of had a good connection between them. So, Africans, started selling Africans for weapons. A lot of agricultural development was also made because of the Columbian Exchange. Slavery was terrible. Olaudah Equiano was actually a slave when the Columbian Exchange was taking place. He was sold and transported to the Atlantic Ocean. In his account, he mentioned that “I was soon put down under the decks, and there I received such a salutation in my nostrils as I had never experienced in my life; so that, with the loathsomeness of the stench, and crying together, I became so sick and low that I was not able to eat, nor had I the least desire to taste any thing. I now wished for the last

Potatoes and tomatoes were the new foods. Europe brought animals and the Old World also brought rabbits, pigs and camels to the New World. This exchange of animals and crops was really good for both worlds. Also, before the the Columbian Exchange, tobacco had no place in Europe. Things that Europeans brought with them were never seen by Americans before. A lot of progress and advancement was opened between both worlds. Also, before the Columbian exchange, there were no oranges in Florida and no tomatoes in Italy. After the Columbian Exchange, Italy started making pastas sauce and all the other famous Italian dishes with