HIST 1093 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Papal Bull, Animal Husbandry, Columbian Exchange
Document Summary
The biological consequences of the european conquests of the americas: Caused a major transfer of biological material (plants and animals) between continents. Europe benefited from plants from the americas, but the diseases and animals brought from. Europeans had to rotate crops, but the milpa system would allow natives to use the field every year - europeans didn"t adopt the milpa system, but relied more heavily on the crops. Population actually grew because of the ability to grow potatoes. American crops also became luxury consumption (tobacco and chocolate) Europeans brought tons of animals to the americas. No domesticated cattle, pigs, sheep, or horses. Sheep did a lot of damage because they grazed in mexico. Europeans had many of these diseases because of animal husbandry. Europeans gained some immunity to these diseases from living with the animals, but indigenous americans didn"t have that. Less transfer of disease to europeans except possibly syphilis. Diseases moved through the areas through trade roots.
