Columbian Exchange Research Paper

The Columbian Exchange is the process of trading goods, ideas, and technology between Europe, Asia, and Africa to the Americas that started in the 15th century. The effects of the Columbian Exchange on the New and Old World were complex. Both of which had negative and positive impacts that everlastingly altered history. The effects on both worlds have shaped the course of history and influenced the world.

Without a doubt, the Columbian Exchange was problematic to both worlds as it caused economic and cultural problems along with multiple outbreaks of murderous diseases. Going deeper into these problems, we learn how they profoundly affected history. When the Old World sailed and encountered the New World, they found Indigenous people, with

As intrigued as the Europeans were about the indigenous people, they found their food even more captivating. The Europeans were introduced to many foods such as tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco, vanilla, pumpkins, and turkeys. The food was nutritious, and delicious, and the Europeans wanted as much of it as they could get. The Europeans started to be obsessed with exploiting the resources of the New World. Though it may not have seemed like they were exploiting them because the New World was also getting new foods, like a transaction. However, the Europeans were doing more harm than good to the indigenous people and were taking their resources. Due to the exploitation of food, an increase in hunting and fishing occurred and the animal population decreased along with the

A major beneficial factor of the Columbian Exchange is the constant interaction between people that facilitates the exchange of ideas and technology. An example of the fabulous technology produced during this time is the printing press invented by Johannes Gutenberg. The spread of knowledge was enabled by the printing press, which played a crucial role in the exchange of information between Worlds. The innovative ideas nurtured faster ways to boost the production of food. Which did happen as the New World and Old World shared their riches with each other. The Columbian Exchange also started the development of new trade networks whilst stimulating economic growth and increasing economic opportunity. One of the many benefits of the Columbian Exchange for the Old World was that it helped alleviate food shortages. People worried less about the amount of food because there was always more coming from the New World and vice versa. Another one being the exchange of gold and silver because it boosted the European economy and played a key role in global trade