Question

Discuss the ways in which the exchange of peoples, plants animals, and diseases, led to major cultural and economic changes in the Old World and particularly in the New World.

Answer 1

Answer: The Columbian Exchange is known for bringing in diseases to the New World from the Old World. Christopher Columbus would bring new items each time he returned to the New World. He would bring in potatoes, animals, sugar plants, and even horses. This helped the New World have economic growth. He also brought chocolate over during his trips. He would bring textiles for others to make clothing, rugs, etc. This allowed the goods to be shipped back and sold.

When they would cross the ocean with all of these new items for the colonists, diseases were also brought. These diseases were new to the people and many died. They were smallpox, chickenpox, mumps, and other diseases that took out whole populations of people.

Native Americans were happy when they were introduced to the horses and this helped them to hunt and gather much faster.