What describes the Columbian Exchange?

Answer 1

The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, people, cultures, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia) following Christopher Columbus's voyages in the late 15th century. This exchange significantly impacted agricultural practices, diets, and populations on both sides of the Atlantic, introducing new crops like potatoes and maize to Europe while bringing wheat and livestock to the Americas. Additionally, it facilitated the spread of diseases such as smallpox, which devastated Indigenous populations in the Americas. Overall, the Columbian Exchange reshaped global economies and ecosystems, laying the foundations for the modern world.