The Columbian Exchange or "Great Exchange" really was one
of the most significant events in history. The exchanges led to both progress and
destruction; new diseases and also a wide variety of crops. Overall it led to an
increase in life expectancy and population in the world. And precipitated the conquest
of the Americas by Eurasians
From New World
to Old World:
- Corn
(Maize) - Potatoes (White & Sweet
Varieties) - Beans (Snap, Kidney, & Lima
Varieties) - Tobacco (led to proliferation of slave
trade) - Peanuts
- Squash
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
(became staple crop in Italian
cooking) - Pumpkins
- Pineapples
- Cacao
(Source of Chocolate) - Chicle (Source of Chewing
Gum) - Papayas
- Manioc
(Tapioca) - Guavas
- Avocados
From
Old World to New World
- Rice
- Wheat (led to increased population in
Americas) - Barley
- Oats
- Coffee
- Sugarcane
(led to proliferation of slave trade, became staple crop in
Europe) - Bananas
- Melons
- Olives
- Dandelions
- Daisies
- Clover
- Ragweed
- Kentucky
Bluegrass (surprisingly not from
Kentucky)
Diamonds central thesis is how
Eurasian advantages led to the "conquering" of America. The crops that Europe were able
to produce where much more domesticated (ie. wheat, cereals, etc) with the help of
animals (ie. horses) however, Native Americans crops were not as "domesticated (and
couldn't be worked with the help of animals) which led to more of a "hunter-gatherer"
lifestyle. Europeans could stay put in areas and live closer to each other, hence
gaining immunization to certain diseases; differences in political organization and even
communication. Native Americans had a disadvantage because of the types of crops which
led to a different lifestyle and susceptibility to disease and to some extent a lack of
"bureaucratic" knowledge that is needed in successful enterprise such as empire making.
Diamond goes into much more detail. Its a great book worth a
read
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