History of Africa

How did standards of living in Africa the Americas and Europe change as a result Colombian exchange?

Africa

* Increased food production: The introduction of new crops, such as maize, cassava, and sweet potatoes, led to increased food production in Africa. This helped to improve nutrition and reduce the risk of famine.

* New sources of income: The cultivation of cash crops, such as cotton and tobacco, provided new sources of income for African farmers. This allowed them to purchase goods that were previously unavailable, such as European cloth and metal goods.

* Increased trade: The Colombian Exchange led to increased trade between Africa and the Americas. This trade brought new goods to Africa, such as gold, silver, and spices.

* Spread of disease: The Colombian Exchange also led to the spread of disease in Africa. Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and yellow fever were introduced to Africa by European and American traders. These diseases caused widespread death and devastation in Africa.

The Americas

* Increased food production: The introduction of new crops, such as maize, wheat, and rice, led to increased food production in the Americas. This helped to improve nutrition and reduce the risk of famine.

* New sources of income: The cultivation of cash crops, such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton, provided new sources of income for American farmers. This allowed them to purchase goods that were previously unavailable, such as European cloth and metal goods.

* Increased trade: The Colombian Exchange led to increased trade between the Americas and Europe. This trade brought new goods to the Americas, such as horses, cattle, and sheep.

* Spread of disease: The Colombian Exchange also led to the spread of disease in the Americas. Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza were introduced to the Americas by European and African traders. These diseases caused widespread death and devastation in the Americas.

Europe

* New food sources: The introduction of new crops, such as maize, potatoes, and tomatoes, led to an improvement in the European diet. These crops provided Europeans with more vitamins and nutrients, which helped to reduce the risk of disease and malnutrition.

* Increased trade: The Colombian Exchange led to increased trade between Europe and the Americas. This trade brought new goods to Europe, such as gold, silver, and spices.

* Economic growth: The increased trade and the influx of new wealth from the Americas led to economic growth in Europe. This growth was particularly pronounced in the Netherlands and England, which became the leading trading nations of the world.

* Spread of disease: The Colombian Exchange also led to the spread of disease in Europe. Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and yellow fever were introduced to Europe by traders and travelers from the Americas. These diseases caused widespread death and devastation in Europe.