As the Europeans reached the Americas their was a cross cultural exchange between the Native Americans and the Europeans.
Europe to Native Americans
When explorers such as Christopher Columbus reached the Americas their was immediate interaction between them and the Native peoples. They began to trade goods and other useful items. The Natives gained wheat, sugar, rice and coffee. They also gained livestock such as horses, cows, pigs, goats and chickens. Although many good things came out of this interaction, eve more bad things were given to the Natives. These included diseases such as small pox, measles, the bubonic plague, influenza and typhus. The disease outbreak killed millions of Native Americans. The estimated population of Native peoples in Mexico in 1521 was 25 million. By 1600 disease had reduced it to 2 million. The Age of Exploration had a catastrophic effect on Native Americans.
When explorers such as Christopher Columbus reached the Americas their was immediate interaction between them and the Native peoples. They began to trade goods and other useful items. The Natives gained wheat, sugar, rice and coffee. They also gained livestock such as horses, cows, pigs, goats and chickens. Although many good things came out of this interaction, eve more bad things were given to the Natives. These included diseases such as small pox, measles, the bubonic plague, influenza and typhus. The disease outbreak killed millions of Native Americans. The estimated population of Native peoples in Mexico in 1521 was 25 million. By 1600 disease had reduced it to 2 million. The Age of Exploration had a catastrophic effect on Native Americans.
Native Americans to Europe
The Native Americans weren't the only ones who gained (and lost) from this interaction. European explorers brought back many things to Europe. They gained plants like potatoes, both sweet and Irish, corn, tomatoes, pineapples, tobacco, beans, vanilla and chocolates. Livestock like the turkey were also brought back to Europe. Explorers also found lots of gold and silver. Not very many diseases were brought back to Europe. The Age of Exploration proved to be beneficial for Europe. It resulted in improved diet, increased wealth and it's economy greatly improved making it one step closer to global domination.
The Native Americans weren't the only ones who gained (and lost) from this interaction. European explorers brought back many things to Europe. They gained plants like potatoes, both sweet and Irish, corn, tomatoes, pineapples, tobacco, beans, vanilla and chocolates. Livestock like the turkey were also brought back to Europe. Explorers also found lots of gold and silver. Not very many diseases were brought back to Europe. The Age of Exploration proved to be beneficial for Europe. It resulted in improved diet, increased wealth and it's economy greatly improved making it one step closer to global domination.
