The Columbian exchange was a period of cultural and biological exchange between the Americas, Europe, and Africa that began with Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. This exchange had a profound impact on both Africa and Europe, as well as on the rest of the world.
One of the most significant effects of the Columbian exchange was the spread of diseases. European diseases, such as smallpox, measles, and influenza, were devastating to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, who had no natural immunity to these diseases. These diseases killed millions of people and contributed to the collapse of several Native American civilizations.
In Africa, the Columbian exchange also led to the spread of diseases. Portuguese explorers brought malaria and yellow fever to Africa from the Americas, and these diseases quickly spread throughout the continent. Malaria became a major killer in Africa, and it is estimated that it killed more than 100 million people in the 20th century alone.
The spread of diseases was not the only effect of the Columbian exchange on Africa and Europe. The exchange also led to the introduction of new crops, animals, and technologies to both continents. These new introductions had a profound impact on the economies and cultures of Africa and Europe, and they helped to shape the modern world.