The Columbian Exchange in the Americas: Change Over Time The Americas were influenced by many different factors. These factors led to the population dropping and population skyrocketing. Advancing technology and biology made an impact as well. From 1492 to around 1750 societies from Europe and Africa greatly influenced and changed the Americas. The Europeans introduced a deadly wave of small pox and the measles, where slaves from Africa were brought over to grow and harvest sugar cane.
The people of the Old World brought their diseases with them, which took advantage of the Native Americans inexistent antibodies toward illnesses like smallpox- which brought about massive and catastrophic population decreases for the Native Americans, about 80-90%. The transfer of diseases, although more noticeable on the Native American populations, also went both ways. The people of the New World exposed the Old World to diseases like syphilis. This transfer shows
Both scientists state that the epidemic “spread throughout the continent far faster than any modern plague” and that the plague was in fact “a viral hemorrhagic fever, similar to Ebola.” (A.W, 3). The devastating effects from the plague led the high death rates among the citizens of Europe. The Black Death is “estimated to have killed 30–60% of Europe's total population”. In total, the plague reduced the world population from an estimated “450 million down to 350–375 million” (Alchon, 21) in the 14th century. Aside from the Plague deaths, there was also a decline in the birth rate.
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
“Fourteen ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” Changes and continuities occurred from 1492-1750 in the Americas, Africa, and Western Europe due to social and economic transformations in slave trade, disease, and the Columbian exchange. The British, European people, and even the conquistadors brought over many decapitating diseases caused a major social change in the Americas. These diseases pummeled the population not only the colonists but also the Native Americans. The Native Americans made up the majority of the population affected by the transmitters; furthermore, they also made up the largest percentage in the mortality rate because they weren’t immune to the diseases. Moreover, these diseases’ transmitters varied from human
World hunger, pollution, and population growth all contribute to the increasing tensions felt around the world. World hunger has been created by an unequal distribution of food and resources to the people of the world. Wealthier nations, like the United States, consume more than their fair share of resources, and throw away millions of dollars of edible food each day. This wasted food could have fed starving people in areas like Ethiopia. Another problem with food distribution is that governments, like those in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are exporting crops to countries willing to pay higher prices as opposed to feeding its own people (Haviland, 2011, 2008).
Sherrie L. Smith Instructor: Laura Perry US History II (R62-S12C) February 4th, 2012 Political Tension In 1890s the depression played a large role of political tension. Government responses to depression during the 1890s exhibited elements of complexity, confusion, and contradiction. Yet they also showed a pattern that confirmed the transitional character of the era and clarified the role of the business crisis in the emergence of modern America. As demand for American goods and crops decreased, falling prices affected both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Corn, wheat, and cotton farmers responded by planting more, which only worsened the problem.
Even when some where free, spanish enslaved indians around the Americas in order to create a faster way to profit themselves. In addition, slave indian migrations took place soon after the decline of some natives population around the andean region. To make matter worst, Portugal who first introduce african slave migrations in New Espanola expanded slavery trade around the globe into brazil who needed worker in their sugar fields. The introduction of slavery reduced the other labor forces; nevertheless, it didn't really work in all the Americas. For example, Mexico and Peru who had incorporated slaves as primary agricultural labor force had a less common slavery rate than Portugal/Spain did in Cuba and Portugal in Brazil.
Shamans, conjurers, medicine men, or anyone who had claimed special power lost respect and authority because their traditional therapies were not effective in curing the infectious diseases. The disaster also distorted their spirituality. Some tribes believed that only extensive hunting of animals could stop the diseases (Kraut 19). It led to the development of the fur trade that brought more attention of Europeans to the New World. Fertile lands of the New World abundantly multiplied many Europeans fauna and flora.
The Black Death Sean Kelly HIS 103 Mr. Durr The Black Death and English Society The Black Death resulted not only in the widespread panic and death that we usually associate with it, but it also created tremendous changes in English society. This was especially noticeable among the peasantry not just because it caused widespread starvation and a massive disruption in agriculture, but also because it changed the entire medieval economy resulting in higher wages despite government edicts and regulations meant to prevent such. The Black Death is a phrase, and name, that brings to mind pain, panic, human suffering, and death. It raced across Europe killing thousands if not millions. It crossed all age and affluence boundaries it