What is the Comlubian Exchange?

The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, goods, culture, human populations, 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 altered agricultural practices, diets, and populations on both sides of the Atlantic, introducing new crops like potatoes and tomatoes to Europe and livestock like cattle and horses to the Americas. However, it also resulted in the tragic spread of diseases, such as smallpox, which devastated Indigenous populations in the Americas. Overall, the Columbian Exchange had profound and lasting impacts on global history and ecosystems.