Columbian Exchange
Definition
The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations (including slaves), technology, diseases between America and Afro-Eurasian hemispheres following Christopher Columbus' voyages in 1492.
Analogy
Imagine going to a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish from their home country. Just as different foods are shared at this dinner party so too were goods and ideas exchanged between continents during the Columbian Exchange.
Related terms
New World: A term referring to those parts of Earth known to Europeans after 1492; primarily refers to Americas and Oceania.
Old World: Refers primarily to Africa, Europe, and Asia known world before contact with Americas.
Triangular Trade: A multilateral system of trading in which a country pays for its imports from one country by its exports to another.
"Columbian Exchange" appears in:
Study guides (5)
Practice Questions (20+)
Which region benefited the most from the Columbian Exchange during the Commercial Revolution?
What was one of the economic consequences of the Columbian Exchange?
What did the Columbian Exchange essentially create?
What did the Columbian Exchange impact the most?
Which of the following best describes who the Columbian Exchange was between?
Which of the following goods were introduced to the New World as a result of the Columbian Exchange?
Which of the following best describes the Columbian Exchange?
What were some of the economic effects of the Columbian Exchange on European nations?
Which of the following goods were NOT introduced to the Old World as a result of the Columbian Exchange?
How did the Columbian Exchange contribute to the expansion of the slave trade?
Which European nations experienced significant economic expansion as a result of the Columbian Exchange?
The Columbian Exchange resulted in the transfer of which of the following?
The increased trade from the Columbian Exchange resulted in the development of what?
What was a significant consequence of the Columbian Exchange for Europe?
Which societal shift occurred as a direct result of the Columbian Exchange during the Age Of Exploration?
What marked the beginning of the Columbian Exchange?
Who primarily benefitted from Columbian exchange?
What was a negative impact of the Columbian exchange?
Which disease was introduced to America by Europeans during the Columbian Exchange?
What significant impact did the Columbian Exchange have on global population trends during this period?
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