American History 100 the Columbian Exchange Paper

Kelly Garcia

American History 100

Felix Tuyay

February 6, 2014

The Columbian Exchange

In The Columbian Exchange video, Columbus is highly credited for bringing many items and resources from the “old” world to the “new” world. But, many of the items and resources came with consequences when both worlds came into contact.

Animals were part of the consequences with contact of both worlds. When horses were brought to the “new” world they helped the Indians become successful with their hunting. Indians were used to hunting buffalo on foot and it took them a long time. Once Columbus introduced them to horses it made it easier and faster for them to hunt buffalo. Cattle was also brought to the “new” world by the Spanish. It helped the people in the “new” world to create a ranching tradition with the cattle. The ranching tradition became very popular and successful and attracted many Europeans and Spanish. The consequences of bringing the animals was that many white hunters would kill the buffalo, only for their skin. They would leave the rest to rot. They also destroyed all the Indians resources. When war began, the cattle didn’t have anyone to herd them or take care of them. They would reproduce massively and take over the plains. But, the import of wheat soon replaced the cattle and the prairie. That’s when agriculture began its toll on the “new” world.

Agriculture was very successful when it came into contact with the “new” world, but it also had great consequences on many groups of people that relied on one crop to grow and nurture them.  Potatoes being one of the biggest crop people lived on.

The growth of potato farming had many advantages to the poor. Potatoes were easy to grow on a small piece of land. Many people that lived in marsh areas relied more on potatoes. The growth of potatoes was massive that in Europe it was between a life or death situation to people. During 1847 in Ireland, the Irish struggled and faced a potato famine. Millions died. Many were thrown into pits after they died. Many people couldn’t pay rent and were evicted from their homes. The British helped but it was already too late.