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Jan 1, 1492
Tobacco
Tobacco was a major crop that originated int the Americas and was later exchanged to Afro-Eurasia. This crop became particularly important to Europeans who traded it all around the world, and by doing this they build connections and increased their value to the world. Tobacco became additive meaning people wanted more and more, which meant that the Europeans were making more and more money and becoming a more powerful nation. The emergence of tobacco also meant the increase in slave labor. -
Period: Jan 1, 1492 to Jan 1, 1492
Beginning of Plant Exchanges
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Jan 1, 1535
Wheat
Wheat became an important crop, which originated in Afro-Eurasia, and moved to the Americas. Inés Muñoz accidentally stumbled upon wheat when she saw that in a barrel of rice, there were a few grains of wheat. Munoz then planted grains of wheat in Peru and discovered that they grew really well, and in a few years. Wheat led to many people eating bread, which helped the economy of the Americas flourish.
Source: Big Histoy Project/ Conseguences of the Colombian Exchange. -
Jan 1, 1536
Potatoes
Potatoes originated in the Americas and were exchanged to Afro-Eurasia. They became important because they could grow in cold places and in thin soil, which became very helpful to different places in Afro-Eurasia. Potatoes could be grown by the poor, and it became their main food source. The people in Afro-Eurasia used potatoes in many ways, and it would be the only food that the would eat. This meant that if there were no more potatoes, the people would die of starvation.
Source: BHP -
Jan 1, 1545
Olive Trees
The Europeans introduced olive trees intentionally, hoping that they would grow well in the New World. These trees were brought over on ships by the explorers. The introduction of olive trees helped to make the food options for people better. Olives created a great topping in many things, and because of that, they contributed to the economy of the Americas. The great soil in the Americas, led to them flourishing.
Source:http://public.gettysburg.edu/~tshannon/hist106web/site19/plants.htm -
Jan 1, 1550
Corn
Corn became an important plant in Afro-Eurasia. Corn had a very adaptable nature, which meant that it could travel from the Americas to Europe very easily. Corn made an alternative to wheat, which was hard to grow in many places in Afro-Eurasia. Corn led to an increase in population and contributed to the economy of many places in Afro-Eurasia.
Source:http://public.gettysburg.edu/~tshannon/hist106web/site19/plants.htm -
Vanilla
Vanilla originated in the Americas ( Mexico and Central America) and was exchanged during the Columbian Exchange. Only the rich and famous had access to vanilla for their tea. Over time, it became famous for its flavor, and people started using it all over the world. Vanilla, became an important part of dessert and other sweets. It also contributed to the economy of places all around the world, and became a huge part of baking.
Source: https://sites.google.com/site/spsgmwh9ce/vanilla -
Coffee
Coffee originated in Afro-Eurasia and was exchanged to the Americas during the Columbian Exchange. Coffee quickly became a major hit in many places, including the Americas, due to how it made our bodies fell. The Europeans wanted to grow coffee in the Americas due to its rich soil so that they could sell it back in Europe. The increase in the demand for coffee meant an increase in the number of slaves.
Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbian_Exchange -
Sugarcane
Sugarcane became an important essential in the diet. It came from Afro-Eurasia and moved to the Americas. Sugarcane was very hard to grow in the climate of Europe, and so the explorers decided to bring it to the Americas where it flourished. The start of sugarcanes, led to it being used in many things, which made it an essential cash crop.
Source:http://public.gettysburg.edu/~tshannon/hist106web/site19/plants.htm -
Period: to
End of Plant Exchange