The Grand Exchange A trading process that began when Christopher Columbus transported items between the New and Old Worlds. This exchange expanded to include different countries and products around the world.

Sometimes Called the Colombian exchange

Characterized by: the widespread exchange of animals, plants, culture, human populations, communicable diseases, technology and ideas between the American and Afro-Eurasian hemispheres after the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1942. Colonization and trade by the Europeans in the Americas. The institution of the slave trade in Africa and the Americas.

Effects People were exposed to livestock and food sources that drastically changed their agricultural practices and diets. Examples: Potatoes in Ireland (from South America) Wheat, barley & oats in North America (from Europe & Middle East) Coffee in Central & South America (from Africa & Middle East) Coffee – Was available in Europe before contact with the new world, but when it was brought to central and south america it was able to be cultivated on a much larger scale and the price went down. It was then available to a lot more people and became a much more popular drink. Coffee shops then became places where people met to talk and exchange ideas.