The Colombian Exchange was the process of connections between the (Old) Eastern Hemisphere with the (New) Western Hemisphere. It didn't occur in a single moment, but over throughout the period as ideas, crops, products, religions, and diseases were shared across oceans.

Historical Developments in 4.3 The Columbian Exchange

• The new connections between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres resulted in the exchange of new plants, animals, and diseases, known as the Columbian Exchange.

• European colonization of the Americas led to the unintentional transfer of disease vectors, including mosquitoes and rats, and the spread of diseases that were endemic in the Eastern Hemisphere, including smallpox, measles, and malaria. Some of these diseases substantially reduced the indigenous populations with catastrophic effects in many areas.

• American foods became staple crops in various parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Cash crops were grown primarily on plantations with coerced labor and were exported mostly to Europe and the Middle East.

• Afro-Eurasian fruit trees, grains, sugar, and domesticated animals were brought by Europeans to the Americas while other foods were brought by African slaves.

• Populations in Afro-Eurasia benefited nutritionally from the increased diversity of American food crops.

Maps & Visuals 4.3

Additional Resources 4.3