Final answer:
The Columbian Exchange's significant impacts include the introduction of potatoes to Europe, leading to population growth and industrialization, the spread of smallpox to the New World, causing widespread indigenous depopulation, and the reintroduction of horses, which significantly affected Native American cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Significance of the Columbian Exchange:
Three items that had a significant impact on history through the Columbian Exchange are potatoes, smallpox, and horses. Potatoes, originating from the New World, became a staple crop in Europe, contributing to population growth and agricultural stability. Conversely, smallpox, carried by Europeans to the New World, led to drastic depopulation among Native Americans due to their lack of immunity to the disease. Horses, reintroduced by Europeans, transformed the lifestyle and warfare strategies of Native Americans.
The spread of potatoes from the Americas to the rest of the world helped fuel the growth of populations. In Europe, the introduction of disease-resistant and high-calorie potatoes contributed significantly to the agricultural revolution, leading to urbanization and industrialization. Conversely, the tragic introduction of smallpox via the Columbian Exchange had devastating effects on indigenous populations, with mortality rates as high as 90% in some areas. The spread of horses from Europe to the New World led to increased mobility, enhanced trade, and changed warfare tactics among Native American tribes.