Columbian Exchange
Hemispheric biological swap
The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, diseases, human populations, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Christopher Columbus's voyages beginning in 1492.
This exchange transformed both hemispheres: crops like potatoes, tomatoes, and maize went to Europe, while wheat, horses, and cattle came to the Americas.
The exchange also brought devastating consequences, as Old World diseases like smallpox decimated indigenous American populations who had no immunity.
- smallpoxDeadly pustular viral infection
- disease spreadPathogen movement between hosts
- maizeCob-bearing cereal crop
- tobaccoDried smoking leaf
- syphilisSpirochete-caused venereal infection
wheat · horses · cow · depopulation · native populations · colonial exploitation · plantation system · silver mines · conquistadors · biodiversity loss · pig · transatlantic · trade routes · potatoes · sugarcane · cassava · quinine · beans
Columbian ExchangeAtlantic slave trade
Forced transatlantic human cargo enterprise