Globalization and the Columbian Exchange's impact on modern American life

Globalization: Impact of the Columbian Exchange

A continental drift occurred millions of years ago, splitting the Americas - which then came to be known as then new world, from the old world made up of Africa and Eurasia (Crosby, 2011). The continental separation lasted long enough to foster divergent evolution, making some bacteria, animals and plants unique to the new world, and others unique to the old world (Crosby, 2011). Human voyagers artificially re-established connections between the two worlds by commingling the "old and new world plants, animals and bacteria," in what came to be known as the Columbian Exchange (Crosby, 2011). During the exchange, Europeans travelled across the Atlantic, to the new world, bringing with them old world plants such as turnips, rice, barley and wheat; domesticated animals such as goats, sheep, cattle and horses; the alphabet, and disease-causing bacteria; and carrying to the old, maize, manioc, sweet and white potatoes, the guinea pig, the fowl, the dog, the alpaca and the llama, which were unique to the new world (Crosby, 2011).

It is natural for humans to take certain things for granted, but people need to appreciate that the Columbian Exchange played a crucial role in the features they enjoy today, and that were it not for the European exploration, individual Americans would not lead the lives they do today.