Final answer:
The populations of Europe, China, and Africa were affected by the new products from the Americas. Europe and Africa experienced population growth due to improved agricultural practices from the Americas, while China and Africa benefitted from the transfer of American food crops. However, the populations of the Americas suffered greatly due to the introduction of European diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The populations of Europe, China, and Africa were significantly affected by the new products from the Americas. The introduction of new crops and animals from the Americas to Europe led to improved agricultural practices, which in turn increased the food supply and contributed to population growth in Europe. Similarly, the transfer of American food crops to China and Africa helped support growing populations in those regions as well. However, the populations of the Americas themselves suffered greatly due to the introduction of European diseases, resulting in a devastating loss of life.
The indigenous populations of the Americas had no immunity to diseases such as smallpox and measles, which were brought by the Europeans. These diseases caused widespread epidemics and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 80% of the native population in the Americas. Therefore, while Europe, China, and Africa experienced population growth due to the new products from the Americas, the Americas themselves saw a significant decrease in population.
Additionally, the arrival of Europeans in the Americas led to massive population movement and upheaval among indigenous people. The Europeans brought new concepts of ownership, destructive weapons, and different socioeconomic systems, which disrupted local societies and forced many indigenous people into servitude or slavery. The introduction of African slaves to the Americas also had a significant impact on the populations and cultures of the region, further altering the demographics of the Western Hemisphere.