TOP 10 Columbian Exchange Items

1. SLAVES

• Slaves came from Africa
• They are important because they were useful on plantations and used to do work
• Slaves had an economic impact because people no longer had to pay workers to perform tasks and do their jobs

2. SUGAR CANE

• Sugar comes from South Asia
• Is was was commonly used to make things like rum
• Sugar has an economic impact because it was popular and it could sell well.

3. (OXen

• Oxen were brought to the Americas from Africa and Asia
• Oxen and other work animals were very important because they helped plow fields, and assisted with other tasks around the plantation
• These animals economically impacted the New World because these work animals allowed worked to be done faster and more conveniently

4. POTATOES

• Potatoes originally came from the Andes in South America
• It is one of the most important crops brought to the Old World
• The potato had an economic impact on the New World because without it, the population in Europe probably would not have increased

5. DISEASe - Small pox

• Diseases had a negative impact on the New World. Many people caught diseases such as small pox and that reduced population
• This impacted the New World because when people caught diseases this reduced population and less people purchased things.

6. COFFEE

• The coffee plant originally came from Ethiopia
• Coffee was crucial in the New World because it was very popular and most people drank it.
• This item had an impact in the New World because drinking coffee became part of everyday life and there was a demand for it.

7. WHEAT

• Wheat originated in Southwestern Asia
• Along with rice, wheat wait the most planted field crop.
• Since it was so popular, wheat was important in the New World because it was a great source of carbohydrates and it was highly demanded.

8. PEANUTS

• Peanuts were first discovered in Brazil.
• They became an important "staple crop" in Western Africa, since they add protein to soups and stews. They can also be pressed into cooking oil.
• Peanuts had an economic impact in the New World, because peanuts were very popular and plantation owners could make a profit from these crops.

9. GRAPES

• There are grapes native to Europe, Asia, and North America. Most Wine grapes came from European/ Middle Eastern species.
• Grapes were important because they were useful for making wine.
• This fruit had an economic impact in the New World because the Wine Industry was becoming popular at the time.

10. Corn

• Originally called Maize, Corn was developed over 6000 years ago in Mexico.
• Corn became one of the World's commonly harvested crop
• Corn had an impact in the New World because it was a great plant and it was commonly harvested.