Positive Effects Of The Columbian Exchange - 837 Words

The Columbian Exchange had many effects on the world we know and live in today. There are many views on whether these effects were a positive or negative impact on us. The exchange brought diseases and slavery, but it also brought new technologies and culture. Throughout history there have been conquerors and conquered, the Americas are no different. Though the impact on the natives was unpleasant, I believe the Columbian Exchange was a positive event for the New World because it brought technological advances, new ideas, and allowed both the New World and the Old World to progress. When Christopher Columbus first landed in the Americas and met the natives it was clear that they were much more naive than the Spaniards.â€Å"...They do not bear†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"The disaster began almost as soon as Columbus arrived, fueled mainly by smallpox and measles...made its American debut in 1519, when it struck the Caribbean island of Santo Domingo, killing up to half...the population.†(Document 7). Though again, these encounters were completely inevitable. If Columbus and his men had not spread the diseases it’s safe to assume the Indians would have come into contact with smallpox and measles at some other point, most likely with the same devastating results. Not to put the death of millions up to natural causes or to say they were inevitable and thus unimportant, the loss of these people devastated those who were left. â€Å"...and in a short time this land which was so great, so powerful and fertile...was depopulated†¦ My eyes hav e seen these acts so foreign to human nature, and now i tremble as i write†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Document 4). Despite the bad effects of the trade, such as diseases and slavery, it has to be considered that most of this would have happened whether Columbus set sail or not. â€Å"The spread of Western civilization was built on intrusion.†(Document 5). If Columbus had not discovered the Americas, had not brought Spaniards and Europeans flocking to the New World, had not infected the Natives with disease and forced them into hard labor, it only makes sense that someone else would come along and do it for him. Though it seemed at the time like the world was infinite, there was no avoiding this discovery or itsShow MoreRelatedPositive Effects Of The Columbian Exchange703 Words   |  3 Pagesthe time period known as the Columbian Exchange. Most of what the Europeans took from the Exchange was good, but some of what they brought was devastating to the people in the New World. Although, this time period was very brutal for the Native Americans, the Columbian Exchange resulted in the transmi tting of new technologies, an increase in remedies and cures for diseases, and a growth in resources such as food that helped to improve life. During the Columbian Exchange there were civilizations thatRead MoreThe Positive Effects Of The Columbian Exchange1051 Words   |  5 PagesThe Columbian Exchange The Columbian Exchange was the transfer of plants, animals, human populations, diseases, cultures, and ideas throughout the world. The new worlds that had been discovered were a part of this Columbian Exchange, and were exposed to many new and foreign goods as well as people. The Americas, or New World, were faced with harsh treatment from Columbus and his crew, along with the rampant spread of new diseases that took a large toll on the Native populations. The Indies were alsoRead MoreThe Positive Effects Of The Columbian Exchange1643 Words   |  7 PagesThe term â€Å"Columbian Exchange† refers to the massive transfer of life between the Afro-Eurasian and American hemispheres that was precipitated by Columbus’ voyage to the New World . It was known as the widespread interchange of plants, animals, diseases, culture, human populations and technology between Europe and the Americas. After Columbus’ arrival to the Americas, the plant, animal and bacterial life b egan to mix between the Americas, which was also referred to as the â€Å"New World† and Europe,Read MoreEssay on Positive and Negative Effects of the Columbian Exchange788 Words   |  4 Pagesdiseases to both hemispheres, a loss of preservation of native American culture in the New World, and the unhealthy effect of tobacco in the Old World, it made an overall positive impact in lasting terms by the introduction of religion and horses and cattle in the New World and the new agriculture advancements and alpacas. The Eastern-Western hemisphere encounter was obviously positive in the Western hemisphere because of the fact that most of us here would have never been born, but the introductionRead MoreThe Cultural Impacts Of The Columbian Exchange775 Words   |  4 PagesThe Columbian Exchange By definition, the Columbian Exchange is described as the transatlantic flow of goods, people, and diseases, beginning with Christopher Columbus’s voyages and discovery of the New World in 1492. (Give Me Liberty!) This interpretation, however, does not give this event the acknowledgement it deserves, as the effects of this complex transaction made a significant impact of the modern history of the world. It completely shaped the world humans live in today, from the languagesRead MoreWhat Was The Columbian Exchange? Essay1618 Words   |  7 Pagesresult of this was The Columbian Exchange in which there was a large trade of animals, plants, technology, culture, slaves, diseases, and even new religions. This exchange effected the way Europeans, Americans, Asians, and Africans lived their daily lives. The Columbian exchange was by far one of the most paramount events in the history of world technology, agriculture, culture, and ecology. In this research paper the following will b e answered: What is the Columbian Exchange? Plants and animals transportedRead Morecolumbian exchange817 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ The Columbian Exchange The Columbian exchange created an enormous interchange of various political ideas, cultures, foods, diseases, animals, and people between the old world and the new world, this give and take relationship caused many changes some positive and some negative between the two areas and help redistribute resources between the two hemispheres. There were many positive things that happened as a result of the Columbian exchange. Potatoes and corn became major food sources forRead MoreNegative Effects Of The Columbian Exchange1498 Words   |  6 Pagesin starting the Columbian exchange. The Columbian exchange was the process of the New World and the Old World transferring ideas, plants, animals, culture, human populations, and manufactured goods across the Atlantic Ocean throughout the 15th and the 16th century. Even though there were many positive results out of the exchange including the finding of the Americas, new plant and animal species, and the Europeans gaining more land to grow their Old-World crops, the overall effects were negative.Read MoreColumbian Exchange Dbq889 Words   |  4 PagesColumbian Exchange BBQ The Columbian Exchange was a major milestone in the diffusion of the New and Old World. In 1492, Columbus arrived in the Bahamas(2), where he first came in contact with Native Americans. There, both exchanged their cultures such as crops, animals, metals, and germs, hence the name, Colombian Exchange. This has brought about both positive and negative effects. While some negative impacts are exemplified by the near-genocide of Amerindians, the demerits are outweighed by theRead MorePositive Impact Of Christopher Columbus s Discoveries1247 Words   |  5 Pages Positive Impact of Christopher Columbus’s Discoveries The world is a better place because of Christopher Columbus’ important discoveries in the New World. His explorations resulted in the vast expansion of property for Europe, the exchange of goods and cultures between countries and a change in the worldview of geography. Columbus’s explorations were the catalyst for unprecedented trade known as the Columbian Exchange, which started the exchange of goods and ideas that would last for centuries