Question

The following quotes relate to different aspects of the Columbian Exchange. They discuss the impact of the exchange on indigenous Americans, the discovery of the potato in South America, and the journey of a slave from Africa to the Americas. Read them carefully and then answer the questions below.

These Sewees [a Native American tribe] have been formerly a large Nation, though now very much decreas'd since the English hath seated their Land, and all other Nations of Indians are observ'd to partake of the same Fate, where the Europeans come, the Indians being a People very apt to catch any Distemper they are afflicted withal; the Small-Pox has destroy'd many thousands of these Natives.
—John Lawson, traveling in South Carolina, 17011
The Spanish conquistadors first encountered the potato when they arrived in Peru in 1532 in search of gold, and noted Inca miners eating chuñu. At the time the Spaniards failed to realize that the potato represented a far more important treasure than either silver or gold, but they did gradually begin to use potatoes as basic rations aboard their ships. After the arrival of the potato in Spain in 1570, a few Spanish farmers began to cultivate them on a small scale, mostly as food for livestock.
—Jeff Chapman, "The Impact of the Potato," 20012
In a little time after, amongst the poor chained men, I found some of my own nation. . . . I inquired of these what was to be done with us. They gave me to understand we were to be carried to these white people's country to work for them. I was then a little revived. . . . But still I feared that I should be put to death, the white people looked and acted, as I thought, in so savage a manner: for I had never seen such instances of brutal cruelty: and this is not only shown towards us blacks, but also to some of the whites themselves.
—Olaudah Equiano, The Life of Olaudah Equiano, 18143
Thinking about the above quotes, write an analysis of the Columbian Exchange's impact on the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Your analysis should answer the following question: which continent benefited the most and which benefited the least from the Columbian Exchange? Be sure to clearly develop and organize your ideas and support your answer with evidence from the course.

Answer 1

The continent of Africa benefitted least from the Columbian Exchange. Despite receiving goods, weapons, and other valuable resources from Europe, millions of Africans were enslaved. The enslavement of Africans caused significant damage to the social and economic structure of the continent.

Europe benefitted the most from the Columbian Exchange. This continent received foods that became staples in their diet including potatoes. Along with this, Europeans also recieved tobacco from the New World. Tobacco was a popular substance used by Europeans due to this trade. Lastly, European countries got to spread their power to a completely new continent, allowing them to gain new natural resources never seen before.