Pangea was a supercontinent that existed during the Mesozoic and Paleozoic eras. It began to split into two separate continents about 175 million years ago. This large-scale global change would forever change the biology and geography of the world. The splitting of Pangea will also become the reason behind many global phenomena. Millions and millions of years ago, when continental drift divided Pangea, the future of human societies changed forever. This massive drift played a major role in the division of the Old World and the New World. North and South America were separated from Eurasia and Africa, with the Atlantic Ocean now between the two landmasses. This large-scale separation caused two different types of societies to develop, in separate parts of the world. While this may seem like a big deal, these were much more than just two different societies, the different land masses developed in different ways, so they had different biological resources that were available for people to use. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayIn 1492 the Columbian exchange in a sense "reestablished" the connection between the two worlds. It was the transfer of people, goods and diseases across the Atlantic Ocean. Some would consider it the most important event in the modern history of the world. It allowed Europeans to enter the global trading system, which had previously been dominated by China with its silks and India with its spices. This gave many European countries significant wealth and the ability to become a dominant trading system. Although the Columbian Exchange had many benefits, it also caused many deaths along with the good ones. Millions of people died during this era. An estimated ninety percent of the first Americans died, and on some Caribbean islands the Native American population became completely extinct. It was one of the largest exchanges of goods, people and diseases across the Atlantic Ocean. The Columbian Exchange affected virtually every society on earth most profoundly, transferring devastating diseases and circulating a wide variety of new crops and livestock. During the Colombian exchange there were many diseases that passed through and traveled in between. , from the Old World to the New World. The Native Americans of the New World were severely affected by these diseases because, first of all, they were not immune to them and, second, they did not know what they were until it was too late. Native American populations became very depleted, very quickly. Some historians estimate that approximately 25-50% of the population of Native American tribes sadly died from disease. Some of the diseases transmitted between the two different societies were smallpox, mumps, measles, polio, hepatitis, influenza, syphilis, and encephalitis. Smallpox, mumps, measles, and influenza were all brought from the Old World to the New World. This means that they wiped out most of the Native Americans due to their weak immune systems and the fact that they had no idea what these diseases were. Medicine was not advanced, so there wasn't much treatment for Native Americans. Smallpox was a disease that primarily affected children and wiped out the Native Americans very quickly. Mumps affects the salivary and parotid glands and is very painful for those who have contracted the disease. Measles was a disease that had no cure. People who contracted it experienced flu-like symptoms. Influenza, also called influenza, affects the nose, throat and lungs. Although the group of people who suffered most from this “exchange ofdiseases” were Native Americans, Europeans also contracted some diseases from the New World. . Polio, hepatitis, encephalitis, and syphilis spread from the New World to the Old World. Polio was present in Europe during pre-Columbian times, but after the exchange “began,” polio slowly became a bigger and bigger problem for Europeans. Hepatitis affects the liver and can be caused by prescription medications or improper use of medications. Native Americans had never been exposed to this disease before. Encephalitis is a bacterial disease that is the result of a problem with the immune system. It can cause hallucinations, but only in some cases is it fatal. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease transmitted primarily by European sailors. Some European sailors would come in and rape the Native American women. This practice also led to a new race in the Americas. In addition to disease, the Columbian Exchange also facilitated the transfer of large quantities of crops. This exchange of goods affected both the Old World and the New World. Before this large-scale transfer of goods occurred, Old World crops such as wheat, barley, rice, and turnips were unknown in the New World. Native Americans had no idea what they were or what to do with them. Some crops that had never traveled west across the Atlantic Ocean before were corn, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava. Although many crops went to England, they also went to other countries. For example, corn was brought from the Americas to China, while white potatoes were brought to Ireland. After potatoes were introduced to Ireland, they became a staple crop for that area of ​​land. When Europeans settled the east coast of the United States they brought and began growing wheat and apples. This transfer of goods was vital to the development of the New World because it allowed for the development of new and different economies. These new economies flourished after Europeans introduced these raw materials. Although all commodities in the Columbian exchange were important, some people would consider sugar to be one of the most vital commodities in the colonial era. To put this into perspective, in the colonial era sugar had the same economic importance that oil has today. Many different countries fought to control sugar production in the Americas. Sugar was first brought to Hispaniola by Columbus in 1493, where it thrived. Sugarcane growth excelled in tropical areas, so it was grown mainly in the Caribbean islands. While sugar production indeed boosted colonial economies, it also fostered the need for slave labor. The Atlantic slave trade began during the colonial era, due to the need for hard-working, “hard-working” people to work on sugar plantations. Because sugar was such a desired commodity, its demand grew enormously. Europeans began kidnapping and moving Africans to the Americas. Africans were bonded to each other, traded, branded, and treated like property. Many of the kidnapped people died along the Middle Passage, which was the journey that slaves made across the Atlantic Ocean. The ships ranged from West Africa to the West Indies. Africans were useful as slaves because they were immune to most diseases and were accustomed to forced labor. When they went to the Americas, European settlers began developing plantations, which are large estates, to grow sugar cane. Plantation owners had originally used Native Americans as slaves, but they died too quickly becauseEuropeans considered them useful. A Spanish priest named Bartolomé de Las Casas suggested replacing the Native Americans with Africans, and the Portuguese took that idea and ran with it. By the mid-1500s the Portuguese and Spanish were transporting thousands upon thousands of people to the Americas and the Caribbean. Another very important crop for Europeans was tobacco. Tobacco was a cash crop for Europeans, meaning it was grown for sale rather than personal consumption. Unlike some crops discussed previously, Europeans did not bring tobacco. Before Europeans arrived in the Americas, Native Americans had used and cultivated tobacco for medical and ritual purposes. They believed that tobacco increased wisdom and improved concentration. Before 1492 Europeans had no idea tobacco existed, so it initially had a negative stigma. Early Spanish explorers used Native Americans' use of tobacco as a reason to view them as savages and think of themselves as superior peoples. Although it initially had a negative connotation, over time Europeans became accustomed to using tobacco and claimed that it had medical properties, just as Native Americans thought. Tobacco became the first truly global commodity. Many countries including Europe, France, Spain and Portugal have cultivated it, so that they can participate in the world market. In addition to tobacco, Native Americans introduced Europeans to chocolate. In addition to diseases and crops, the Columbian exchange also facilitated the movement of many animals across the Atlantic Ocean, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and many others. Before Europeans brought new animals to the natives, they had only domesticated several animals including llamas, alpacas, dogs, turkeys, and guinea pigs. Christopher Columbus brought pigs, cows, chickens and horses to the Caribbean islands. Native Americans used cattle for transportation, transporting hides, tallow, and meat. The practice of hunting and gathering was transformed into a highly mobile practice because of these animals. The larger animals brought by Europeans greatly changed the nature of work in the Americas. They allowed animals to do the work, rather than Native Americans. When Native Americans could use oxen to plow, things like farming and transportation became easier and more efficient. Another animal that made a big difference in Native American society was the pig. They completely redid the food supply. Pigs were so popular in Native American and colonial societies because they can reproduce quickly and easily and have no specific diet. Large amounts of land devoted to grazing and agriculture allowed livestock to thrive in the Americas. Another animal that greatly influenced the lives of Native Americans was the horse. They helped kickstart the westward migration and make it easier. Horses also became an important component of religious ceremonies. Some Native Americans danced with horses and imitated them. The Oglala Dakota tribe began a "horse medicine cult" that used horses to cure illnesses and predict the outcome of events. Horse medicine men and women soon became the most respected individuals in most Native American tribes. The Europeans also helped the Native Americans by bringing new technologies. They brought guns and knives to trade with the Native Americans. This greatly benefited the natives as they hunted for their food. It has also helped make daily tasks simpler and easier. Please note: this is just an example. Get a personalized document now come on.