History 10:
Columbian Exchange Essay Before the late 1400’s, the idea of a global economy was non existent. Most countries lived a life of seclusion and independence from there surrounding territories. Even the most advanced and successful countries of the time didn’t have very much communication with outside countries. It can be argued that the most dominant nations at this time were large european powerhouse countries such as Spain or England, and the constant struggle for power fueled most actions and large decisions these countries made. So in 1492, when Spain was frantically searching for a way to gain dominance, power and wealth over their surrounding countries, Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus embarked on a journey …show more content…
The Columbian Exchange involved the importation and exportation of goods all around the world, introducing new resources and commodities to countries everywhere. Although it is no longer very apparent, many items that are thought of as staple/ representative products of countries and regions, are not even indigenous to these areas. During the Columbian Exchange, commodities we take for granted as being a part of our everyday lives in the present, were first introduced to us as foreign things we had no idea ever existed. So because of this overwhelming light that was brought upon by the Columbian Exchange, people were introduced to knowledge, religion, commodity and resources they never would have known existed …show more content…
Today we think of many crops as foods that have existed and always have been heavily important in the history of many countries, but surprisingly many of these crops weren’t introduced to countries till the Columbian Exchange. To think that Ireland had no potatoes, Switzerland had no chocolate, Florida had no oranges and even England didn’t have tea until it was brought there from China. Many products like these were brought over during the Columbian Exchange, but it wasn't just luxuries that these new foods provided. Some areas of the world with climates unfavorable for the growth of most crops, were introduced to new things that could be grown nearly anywhere. It was discoveries like these that helped save countries from mass hunger and in translation a large depletion in population. Crops saved many lives, increased food rations in many areas and the increase of food additionally lead to an increase in population. This is why the distribution of crops was one of the largest benefits of the Columbian Exchange and it’s effects will maintain