Columbian Exchange

Definition

The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas (New World) and the Old World (Europe, Asia and Africa) in the 15th and 16th centuries following Christopher Columbus's voyages.

Related terms

Old World: The "Old World" is a term used primarily in the West to refer to Africa, Europe, and Asia (or Eurasia), regarded collectively as the part of the world known before contact with the Americas.

New World: The "New World" is one of the names used for majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas (including nearby islands), in relation to Europe.

Indigenous Peoples: These are ethnic groups who are native to a particular place. In this context it often refers to Native Americans who were greatly affected by the Columbian Exchange due to disease transmission.