ipl-logo

Negative Effects Of The Columbian Exchange

599 Words3 Pages

As a child, many heard the poem "In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue". Columbus's exploration of the Americas in 1492 lead to the exchange of foods, ideas, and services, rather known as the Columbian Exchange. Even though there were many positive outcomes that resulted from the Columbian exchange, there were a multitude of negative effects. The Columbian exchange had an impact on the Natives' agriculture, health, and lifestyle. The New World and the Old World each brought their own concepts of nature to create a new agricultural system. It was clear to see that "crops with higher caloric value", such as the potato "allowed people to work harder because they were more energized" (Columbian Exchange). The New World provided Europe with healthier food options such as corn and beans. Not only did crops play an important role in the Columbian exchange, animals were another key component in the rebirth of the …show more content…

Tobacco was a novelty crop many European had yet to experience. With the increased use of tobacco many side effects such as gum disease and cancer came along with it. "The Indians also taught the white man about tobacco and cocaine . . ."(The Crimes of Christopher Columbus). The Indians are also credited with the introduction of one of the first sexually-transmitted diseases, Syphilis, into the European society. Just as the Europeans had no internal defense system for the disease, syphilis, Indians endured many hardships fighting off the numerous diseases that followed the Europeans to the Americas. "The disaster began almost as soon as Columbus arrived . . . smallpox . . . was a particularly efficient killer" (The Great Disease Migration). Even Pocahontas died contracting smallpox after a trip to England with her husband, John Rolfe. There a very few positive things that are associated with the idea of health and wellness during the Columbian

Open Document