The Columbian Exchange

The Columbia Exchange refers to the mixing of cultures of Europeans and Indigenous Americans. When the Europeans arrived, they encountered the Amerindians. This is where the first advantage came to the Europeans. The Native Americans were much bigger and healthier than the Europeans, however, they had never been exposed to any kind of disease. The Europeans, however, had been exposed to not only been exposed to their native diseases, but also Asian and African diseases. This helped build up a strong immune system. Within one hundred years, ninety percent of the Indian population would have been killed off because of their exposure to unfamiliar diseases (United States History).

Another advantage the Europeans had was years of experience of trading and technology. This advantage helped the Europeans exploit the Indians even further. They were also helpless against the Europeans weaponry, horses, and armor. Although the Indians had the advantage of knowing the land, they were still too slow. This added with their weakness from the many diseases helped with the Europeans domination over the Indians (United States History).

Finally, when the Europeans finally did settle, they needed workers for their large plantations. They tried to use the Indigenous Americans as slaves, however, they were far too weak, and often died because of the disease. The Europeans decided to take advantage of the African slave trade by bringing slaves over and having them work the fields. This, however, led to problems within the African government, and eventually led to warfare within their government (United States History).

Although the Europeans conquest came at a huge price to everybody they came in contact with, there was some good taken out of it. All of this interaction led to other cultures around the world being exposed to one another. Foods that were unable to be grown in other lands were able to be brought it and become staples of other nations diets. Animals that were never seen in foreign lands could now be domesticated in other places. This aspect benefited everybody around the world (Columbian Exchange).

In the end, Europeans had the upper hand in the clash of the cultures. They had an immune system that was able to defeat their enemies without ever doing anything other than breathing. They were able to bring with them animals to domesticate, and travel throughout the world. The Amerindians, however, had to suffer through slavery and mass killings of its population. They were turned on each other, all because of the exploitation of land from Europe. The Europeans had the advantage, and they took full use of it.

References
(2007, January 18). Columbian Exchange. Retrieved January 24, 2007, from Wikipedia Web site:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/-Columbian_Exchange
(2006). United States History. Retrieved January 24, 2007, from Encarta Web site: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1741500823_37/United_States_History.html