Introduction

So far in this unit, you have learned about the Native Americans present when Columbus arrived and the effects of European exploration on these native peoples. You also learned about the factors that led to European exploration, the countries involved in exploration, and the motives for both exploration and colonization.

When Columbus and his crew landed in the "New World" in 1492, not only did a way of life change, but the world itself changed. Watch "The Exchange Begins" (0:56) video clip to learn about some of the effects of this interaction of cultures.

Open The Effects of the Columbian Exchange: The Exchange Begins in a new tab

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Identify the commodities of the Columbian Exchange
  • Explain how and why the Columbian Exchange occurred
  • Explain how trade affected slavery in the colonies

Essential Questions

  • What was the course of the Columbian Exchange and how did it impact other parts of the world?

Enduring Understandings

  • There were important economic, geographic, social, and political conditions that influenced Europe, American colonists, Africans, and indigenous Americans during and after the explorations of the 15th-17th centuries.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: United States History I standards: 1. 1.3, and 1.4.