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Essay / The effects of the Colombian exchange
I can say today; South America or Latin America has more than 450 million inhabitants (Rowntree). 50 years ago, the total population was not even half of today's population (Rowntree). Thus, many factors have contributed to this dramatic increase in Latin America's population, such as natural increase and immigration. However, at the same time, Latin America's indigenous population has collapsed dramatically. Some of the reasons for the loss of the native population were due to disease, and famine was a significant factor in the rapid decline of the population (Rowntree). Also, the arrival of the Spanish and the impact of the war on the population. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThe first people who lived in South America were called Native Americans or Indigenous people because the word “Indians” was invented by Christopher Columbus who arrived there first (New World Encyclopedia). To clarify the collapse of the Indian population, health was a major factor. Diseases like influenza and smallpox were responsible for over fifty percent of Aboriginal deaths (Rowntree). Additionally, war with Europeans affected Native Americans. According to the New World Encyclopedia Organization, the first group of Native Americans that Columbus encountered were the “Tainos.” If someone did not die or be killed by disease, they were enslaved, until the culture died out in 1650. Additionally, it was apparently difficult for indigenous people in Latin America to accept the fact that there are foreigners who come from another place to live. They took their lands and sources and tried to either kill them or enslave them. What they did in defending their land against Columbus was therefore natural, even if they did not have advanced weapons like the Europeans. As a result, culture must disappear. Additionally, according to Learn NC Organization, one of the most significant negative impacts of the Columbian Exchange is new diseases that never existed in South America, such as smallpox. These types of diseases were brought by animals from Europe to which Europeans were immune, but Native Americans were not. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay Additionally, there are some positive results from the Columbian Stock Exchange. For example, many products were transferred from South America to Europe, such as potatoes and peanuts. This type of food has never been available in Europe, but thanks to trade, people can enjoy it all over the world. Additionally, despite the diseases of the past, having animals like horses in South America counts as a positive consequence and the reason is that horses helped increase the quality of transportation at that time, instead of walking (Learn NC).