Compare the Effects of the Columbian Exchange in the Americas to Its Effects in Europe and China

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With the arrival of Spanish colonies in the Americas in 1492 following the first voyage by Christopher Columbus, a worldwide exchange of plants, animals and pathogens took place between Europe, Africa and Asia that significantly impacted of all civilizations. This involved introducing foreign products that largely affected the livelihood of the receiving country, whether it being new foods brought in to resolve nationwide problems of famine or starvation, or the crippling population decline of the Native Americas through exposure of disease brought over by the Europeans. Having no previous contact with Europeans and therefore no natural immunity, new diseases such as smallpox and measles, an outbreak infected the Natives that quickly wiped out much of the population, most notably were the indigenous population of the Caribbean Islands who were almost driven to existence due to the epidemic alone. By 1540, it was recorded that up to 90 percent of the entire population succumbed to what was described as a plague that would last from weeks to months before spreading to a different area, effectively the most devastating death toll even compared to the following wars led by the Spaniards. The amount of death did not stop the Spaniards from taking advantage of the fertile land for the crops and livestock they brought over. Once imported, they proved to grow well in even uncultivated land with the clear waters and varieties of climate that were beneficial for growing plentiful fruits, vegetables and cereals, both native and Spanish, which grew in abundance. Foreign products that had never been grown outside the Americas such as maize, potatoes and various others were taken to Europe, where they became stable foods. Cheap and plentiful, maize provided food for poor lower-class workers so that employment would not hinder from starvation. Even the stalks and husk were
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