Columbian Exchange and Slave Trade Used to describe the enormous widespread exchange of plants, animals, foods, human populations (including slaves), communicable diseases, and ideas between the Eastern and Western hemispheres that occurred after 1492. In that year, Christopher Columbus' first voyage launched an era of large-scale contact between the Old and the New Worlds that resulted in this ecological revolution: hence the name "Columbian" Exchange.

The Columbian Exchange

Latin American Social Class System Peninsulares Spanish official sent to govern Latin American colonies.  They controlled government completely. Creoles American born Spanish gentry,  They owned most of the land but were treated like second class citizens, and were denied political rights. Mestizos Spanish/Native America- denied basic political, economic, and social rights due to their mixed heritage. Mulattoes Spanish/African- denied basic political, economic, and social rights due to their mixed heritage. Native Americans & Slaves Lowest social class.  They had no rights and were often treated poorly and used as a labor source by the plantation owning Creoles.