Impact of the Columbian Exchange

What is the Columbian Exchange?

• A global trade network established by Christopher Columbus.

• The exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World and the New World.

• A series of wars fought between European powers for control of new territories.

• The process of colonizing new lands and establishing European settlements.

Before the Columbian Exchange, how was the history of the world generally viewed?

• As a single, interconnected global history.

• As a series of separate histories for different regions.

• As primarily focused on European empires.

• As a history dominated by biological exchanges.

What was the primary reason for the drastic decline in Native American populations after the arrival of Europeans?

• European warfare and brutality.

• Lack of food and resources.

• Diseases brought by Europeans.

• Forced migration and displacement.

How did the deaths of Aztec and Inca rulers from European diseases impact their empires?

• It led to immediate peace treaties with the Europeans.

• It caused violent succession struggles and weakened their empires.

• It resulted in a rapid increase in their populations.

• It encouraged them to form stronger alliances against Europeans.

Besides direct deaths, what was another significant negative impact of European diseases on Native American societies?

• Increased trade with European nations.

• Improved agricultural practices.

• Widespread starvation due to a lack of people to grow crops.

• The development of new medical treatments.

Which disease is believed to have originated in the Americas and was brought to Europe by returning sailors?

• Smallpox

• Measles

• Syphilis

• Typhus

Which plant, originating in the Americas, was described as a "pretty destructive" gift to the Old World?

• Tomatoes

• Potatoes

• Corn

• Tobacco

Which of the following animals, introduced by Europeans, had a revolutionary impact on the Americas?

• Llamas

• Guinea pigs

• Horses

• Penguins

What characteristic of pigs made them valuable for food supply in the New World?

• Their ability to eat only specific plants.

• Their slow breeding rate.

• Their rapid breeding and ability to eat anything.

• Their inability to turn into bacon.

What was the primary reason Europeans came to America?

• To find religious freedom.

• To gain political freedom.

• To find abundant food and land.

• To establish new trade routes.