The Columbian Exchange was a significant event in world history that had a profound impact on the environment and societies of the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It was tied into the readings by briefly beginning up the Columbian exchange and what a major event it was. The Columbian Exchange brought both positive and negative consequences for the societies involved. The introduction of new crops such as wheat and sugar allowed for increased food production and larger populations in the Americas. The arrival of animals such as cows and horses also had a significant impact on the economies and societies of Mexico and Chile, providing new sources of food and labor. The exchange also brought diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza