Columbian Exchange T Chart
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The Age of Exploration in America
Lesson Plans by Matt Campbell
Before the 1400s, the 'Known World' was limited to Europe, parts of Africa, and parts of Asia. Learn more about the Age of Exploration with Storyboard That!
Storyboard Description
Age of Exploration / Age of Discovery - Columbian Exchange T-Chart
Storyboard Text
- TURKEYS
- "NEW WORLD" TO THE "OLD WORLD"
- HORSES
- "OLD WORD" TO THE "NEW WORLD"
- The turkey is native only to North America. The spread of the turkey happened rapidly as European and Mexican societies integrated the bird into their diets. Although many associate this odd looking bird with the Pilgrims, the turkey was brought to Europe prior to the landing at Plymouth.
- CORN
- Horses were brought to the New World by early European explorers. Breeds like the mustang quickly became an instrumental element in Native American culture. Used for both transportation and hunting, the importation of horses to America allowed the expansive continent to be much more navigable.
- COFFEE
- Corn, or maize, is a grain plant domesticated by the Native Americans. The corn we know today was not always so large. With brilliant agricultural planning, Native Americans were able to create a hybrid of plants that we recognize today as corn.
- TOBACCO
- Long before Americans went out on a coffee break, coffee was a staple crop throughout the Middle East. Dating back to the 16th century, coffee spread throughout Persia, Turkey, and Africa before making its way to the Americas.
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Smallpox, Influenza, Typhis, Measles
- The addictive and harmful plant, tobacco, dates back to 1400 BCE in Mexico. Upon the arrival of the European settlers, this plant quickly became a European custom. Early American colonists made a considerable amount of money exporting the crop to Europe, and soon the crop became the most sought-after in the world.
- TOMATOES
- No other aspect of the Columbian Exchange had the same impact as infectious diseases. Although historians have debated the exact statistics, it is estimated that, due to a lack of immunity, the Native American population decreased by 90% within 300 years after initial contact with Europeans.
- SHEEP
- Long before pasta and lasagna graced the European dinner table, tomatoes were a native crop to North America. Similar to other American crops, once the tomato was introduced to Europeans, it greatly increased their caloric intake, which lead to a healthier and stronger society.
- The sheep has been important to the welfare and economy of Europeans for thousands of years. Sheep have been used throughout history for their meat and wool for clothing. Once introduced in America, Natives began using the wool for clothing and insulation.
Image Attributions
- Ebola Virus Particles - NIAID - (License Attribution )
- Hospital-Associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Bacteria - NIAID - (License Attribution )
- Neutrophil and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococccus aureus (MRSA) Bacteria - NIAID - (License Attribution )
- Staphylococcus aureus Bacteria - NIAID - (License Attribution )
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