Columbian Exchange
The transfer of goods, culture and ideas between the Americas, West Africa and the Old World
Real World Example
The Columbian Exchange was a major event during the Global Age, as it introduced new goods, crops, and ideas between the Americas, Europe, and Africa from 1420-1750. This exchange significantly impacted diets worldwide with the introduction of staple foods like potatoes, tomatoes, and corn to Europe and Asia, and livestock such as horses and cattle to the Americas. It also highlighted tensions, such as the spread of diseases and exploitation, which still resonate today in discussions about global health and economic inequalities. These exchanges have long-lasting effects, as the foods and animals introduced have become integral to various cultures and everyday meals worldwide. Today, when enjoying a pizza or a hamburger, people are experiencing the global interconnectedness that began with the Columbian Exchange.
