History Of The Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange acknowledges that one of the most significant events in history started in 1492 with the discovery of new western lands. The Columbian Exchange consisted of cultural and market trades of goods and people. The trades consisted of many items but most importantly the trade of livestock and crops between America and European countries became the largest advancement towards modern day society. America has gained more knowledge, now having access to farming, they took advantage of their easiness of farming and created larger plantations to create bigger markets. Unfortunately along with the perks of trading these goods, diseases like the common and warfare were brought upon the new lands. Bartolome de las Casa observed the …show more content…
America didn’t have livestock over 100 lbs, so when Europe brought over cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs they gained easier transportation by horseback and more variety harvesting. The new livestock is now a part of today 's environmental success. Gaining new technologies like guns, knives, and most importantly the alphabet. The alphabet being taught to the Natives allowed easier communication as well as tried to teach them their religions. Knives from Europe were much more sturdy than the ones the Natives made, so hunting was made more simply by not having to create a new knife for every hunt. Guns were more effective than bows and arrows but led to more violence and warfare. Certain crops from Europe developed and expanded more efficiently when being traded to different climates. Sugar cane created a substantial market once coming to the New World. Other crops brought over from Europe consisted of citrus fruits, honey, and coffee beans. During transportation, they brought over black rats which could carry disease, but Europeans carried enough disease on their own. The common cold was brought over, along with measles, diseases widely wiped out entire tribes due to weak immune …show more content…
Casa originally took part in the enslaving of the underdeveloped Indians, but soon came to realize it was cruel. "The Apostle of Indies" was a nickname Casa was widely known as, because he fought for the equal treatment. The Spaniard 's were cruel to Natives and treated them no better than slaves, which Bartolome approached the topic in his book "The History of the Indies" and in hindsight created "The Black Legend". Spreading Catholicism was his main goal when arriving in the New World, but changed to pointing out the hypocrites within the Christian religion. The Spaniard 's spread the belief that they were full good treatment and freedom, which was a deception because they only paid Indians for their compensation by giving them1 ½ Maravedi a day to not exceed the yearly ½ gold peso. Bartolome soon changed his goal to having a more humane relationship with the Native Indians which finally helped in 1542, freeing them of their