What was taken from the Americas?
* Plants: Maize (corn), potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, squashes, beans, peppers, cacao (chocolate) and tobacco were some of the major crops that were taken from the Americas to the Old World. These crops had a major impact on the diets and culinary traditions of the Old World, and some, like potatoes, became staple foods in many parts of the world.
* Animals: Llamas and alpacas were the only domesticated animals that were taken from the Americas to the Old World. However, many wild animals, such as turkeys and armadillos, were also transported.
* Diseases: Smallpox, measles, influenza and yellow fever were some of the devastating diseases that were taken from the Americas to the Old World. These diseases caused widespread epidemics, killing millions of people.
* Technologies: The Americas had a number of sophisticated technologies that were adopted by Europeans, including the use of rubber, hammocks, and canoes.
What was brought to the Americas?
* Plants: Wheat, rice, barley, oats, rye and sugarcane were some of the major crops that were introduced to the Americas from the Old World. These crops quickly became important sources of food for the indigenous people of the Americas.
* Animals: Horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens were some of the animals that were brought to the Americas from the Old World. These animals had a major impact on the diets and economies of the indigenous people of the Americas.
* Diseases: Malaria, yellow fever, and syphilis were some of the diseases that were brought to the Americas from the Old World. These diseases had a devastating impact on the indigenous people of the Americas, killing millions of people.
* Technologies: The Europeans introduced a wide range of technologies to the Americas, including guns, gunpowder, metal tools, ships, and the wheel. These technologies had a major impact on the way that the indigenous people of the Americas lived and worked.
The Columbian Exchange had a profound impact on both the New World and the Old World. It changed the diets and economies of both regions, and it introduced new diseases that had a devastating impact on human populations. The exchange also led to the spread of new technologies, which had a major impact on the way that people lived and worked.