The Columbian Exchange

What was The Columbian Exchange?

• A traditional form of gift giving in Columbia

• A new trade route to Asia discovered by Christopher Columbus

• The passage taken back and forth by the first inhabitants of the New World

• The transfer of plants, animals and microbes between the Old and New Worlds

In 1492, Christopher Columbus--an Italian--sailed west in search of an all-water route to China. Columbus was working for what COUNTRY'S monarchs?

• Italy

• Spain

• England

• Portugal

What is the MAIN reason so many native peoples of the New World died after 1492?

• Ongoing wars between native tribes after the arrival of the Europeans.

• They were slaughtered by the Spanish conquistadores.

• Their food supply decreased because of climate change.

• They lacked immunity to Old World diseases.

Historians are unsure of exactly what percentage of the native population in the Americas died from infectious diseases after 1492, but some think it may be as high as:

• 10%

• 35%

• 55%

• 95%

Which is a consequence of New World crops introduced to the Old World?

• The European population grew rapidly.

• European crops were infested with disease.

• The horse was transported to Europe.

• Weeds like dandelions were transported to the Americas.

Why were pigs and cattle so destructive to the native people?

• Native Americans refused to eat pork.

• The animals were confined to settler’s compounds.

• The animals roamed free and ate food crops like corn.

• The smell of the animal manure (poop) drove the natives further west.

The European animal that had the biggest POSITIVE impact on Native Americans in the Great Plains regions was the:

• pig

• sheep

• turkey

• horse

Thinking about the Columbian Exchange, to which continent(s), were CATTLE native?

• the Americas

• Europe

• Africa

Thinking about the Columbian Exchange, to which continent(s), were TURKEYS native?

• the Americas

• Europe

• Africa

Thinking about the Columbian Exchange, to which continent(s), were PIGS native?

• the Americas

• Europe

• Africa