Quiz Champion

What was the transfer of disease, crops, and people across the Atlantic shortly after the discovery of the Americas called?

  • Transatlantic Slave Trade
  • Triangle Trade
  • The Columbian Exchange
  • The Silk Road
Explanation

The transfer of disease, crops, and people across the Atlantic shortly after the discovery of the Americas is called The Columbian Exchange. This term refers to the widespread exchange of plants, animals, goods, and diseases between the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia) and the New World (the Americas). It had a profound impact on both sides, as it introduced new crops such as potatoes and maize to Europe, which boosted population growth, but also brought devastating diseases like smallpox to the Americas, leading to the decimation of indigenous populations. The Columbian Exchange played a significant role in shaping the course of history and is considered a turning point in the globalization of the world.