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He was the first documented person to visit the New World: North and South America. And he told people about it, unlike the Vikings who were the first Europeans to visit the New World. Christopher Columbus, in exploring the Americas, was also responsible for the spread of communicable diseases such as smallpox, which the Native Americans did not know how to treat. Columbus and his men inadvertently caused epidemics that wiped out entire tribes. Furthermore, Columbus expanded on trade with the Native Americans. When he found the New World, he also found things he had never seen before: various beads, spices, animals, birds, and of course customs. His crews might have traded spyglasses or knowledge for various objects. The Natives taught Columbus many things about agriculture, etc. When the crews could not gain what they wanted by bartering, they often stole it by physical force, or threatened it out of the Natives.

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16y ago

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