Great Biological Exchange free essay sample

This great exchange between the Europeans and Native Americans had a great effect on the way people lived. In my opinion, the exchange was helpful to both groups of people but it also had setbacks that affected people. Two negativities came out of this exchange. One was the transmission of diseases from the Europeans to the Native Americans. The transmission of the diseases had the greatest impact of all on the Native Americans. The Europeans had no resistance to diseases such as measles, mumps, smallpox, typhus, and chicken pox therefore millions became sick and died. About 90% of the Native American population was wiped out from the diseases because their bodies had never been exposed to such diseases and so their immune systems could not fight the diseases. The second negativity that I believe came out of this exchange was the importation of slaves. Because so many of the Native Americans died, it left behind a large shortage of workers. We will write a custom essay sample on Great Biological Exchange or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In addition to the many deaths, the Europeans needed people to work on their plantations that consisted of plants that was introduced to them by the Native Americans. Due to the lack of plantation workers, the Europeans turned to the African slaves as a solution. I do not believe that this was the best solution that the Europeans chose because it showed how lazy and selfish they were. They did not want to take care of their plantations on their own instead wanted other people to do it for them. Being so selfish, the Europeans did not think of the families that the slaves had to leave behind. All that the plantation owners cared about was the money and food that came out of their plantations. Despite the two setbacks or negativities that the exchange brought, it was really helpful in different ways. The importation of European goods changed the lifestyles of the Native Americans. For example, the Native Americans started using horses for hunting and warfare instead of their bare hands and feet. Others decided to become nomads and used horses as transportation. The introduction of cattle made other people take up ranching as a way of life. They bred cattle and lived off of them. A variety of plants were grown all over therefore new foods were made and cooked. Not only were the plants grown for food, but they were also grown for exportation to other places such as Africa and Asia. The exportation of different crops and plants was another way that the people earned money. With all that was mentioned above, I feel that the Great Biological Exchange was a great encounter between the Native Americans and Europeans for it led to the development and progress of the colonies. Although many deaths and slaves were involved, the positive outcome of the exchange was so much greater. The slaves were eventually freed, and the deaths gave bodies of future people a sense of the diseases so that their bodies will more likely be able fight the diseases. From then on, the colonies started improving and progressing thus leading to America being a well developed nation now.