What was the Columbian Exchange and what impact did it have?

Answer 1

The Columbian Exchange was a widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa) following Christopher Columbus's voyages in the late 15th century. It led to significant agricultural and dietary changes, introducing crops like potatoes and tomatoes to Europe while bringing wheat and cattle to the Americas. This exchange greatly influenced global population growth and economic systems but also resulted in the devastating spread of diseases that decimated Indigenous populations in the Americas. Overall, the Columbian Exchange reshaped ecosystems, economies, and cultures on both sides of the Atlantic.