Positive and Negative Effects of the Columbian Exchange (Essay Sample)

The Columbian Exchange began in Jamestown, now known as Virginia, in the 1400s. The Native American population dropped by nearly 90 percent during this time. Across the world, populations dropped by 50 percent to 90 percent. The Columbian Exchange brought animals, plants, disease, food, slaves, and new ideas. Disease had a huge impact on the population of the Native Americans. Unlike Europeans, they lacked immunity. The exchange completely altered the way of the world. 

Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, brought many things to America. These helped build new colonies and grow the population over time. He brought new animals such as cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats. These animals helped with food, weapons, clothing, and labor. Every year, men from different tribes would join together for hunting expeditions. Their food changed within seasons (Wells). In the fall, they hunted for food and harvested crops for the winter. In the summer, they grew beans, corn, squash, and other crops. In winter, they hunted for more food and lived off stored crops from the previous year (Wells). Many different crops were also brought to America. Such as maize, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkin, squash, chili peppers, pineapple, peanuts, and tobacco. These crops being brought to America at the time was a good thing. They gave farmers more crops to grow which meant more labor. This also meant that they had all kinds of new crops that they could eat. The animals and crops had a huge impact on the Native Americans.

Disease also had a huge impact on the Native Americans. Many different diseases were brought to America which spread throughout the Native American tribes. Many Europeans unwillingly brought them with them as they explored the new world. The Native Americans had no immunity to these diseases like the Europeans had. Although we will never know why so many people died, it's estimated that nearly 90 percent of the Native American population died from disease. A lot of trade went on during the Columbian Exchange. Many of these trade goods improved Native American society. New technologies were also introduced throughout this time. Including cannons, improved knives, and rifles. Since the Native Americans had many primitive tools these goods were a huge help to them. A lot of the products that were introduced to them gave them more advantages at surviving. They could hunt and build more effectively with these new products. 

Many things impacted the way Native Americans lived during the Columbian Exchange period. These were just a few examples of how the tribes were affected. There were many pros and cons that the Columbian Exchange brought to the Native Americans. There are still many questions about this time period but what we do know is that the Columbian Exchange changed the way of American life.