TOPIC 1.4
Columbian Exchange,
Spanish Exploration, and Conquest
THEMATIC FOCUS Geography and the Environment (GEO)
Geographic and environmental factors, including competition over and debates about natural resources, shape the development of America and foster regional diversity. The development of America impacts the environment and reshapes geography, which leads to debates about environmental and geographic issues.
Learning Objective D
Explain causes of the Columbian Exchange and its effect on Europe and the Americas during the period after 1492.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
KC-1.2.I.B
The Columbian Exchange brought new crops to Europe from the Americas, stimulating European population growth, and new sources of mineral wealth, which facilitated the European shift from feudalism to capitalism.
KC-1.2.I.C
Improvements in maritime technology and more organized methods for conducting international trade, such as joint-stock
companies, helped drive changes to economies in Europe and the Americas.
KC-1.2.II.A
Spanish exploration and conquest of the Americas were accompanied and furthered by widespread deadly epidemics that devastated native populations and by the introduction of crops and animals not found in the Americas.
Geographic and environmental factors, including competition over and debates about natural resources, shape the development of America and foster regional diversity. The development of America impacts the environment and reshapes geography, which leads to debates about environmental and geographic issues.
Learning Objective D
Explain causes of the Columbian Exchange and its effect on Europe and the Americas during the period after 1492.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
KC-1.2.I.B
The Columbian Exchange brought new crops to Europe from the Americas, stimulating European population growth, and new sources of mineral wealth, which facilitated the European shift from feudalism to capitalism.
KC-1.2.I.C
Improvements in maritime technology and more organized methods for conducting international trade, such as joint-stock
companies, helped drive changes to economies in Europe and the Americas.
KC-1.2.II.A
Spanish exploration and conquest of the Americas were accompanied and furthered by widespread deadly epidemics that devastated native populations and by the introduction of crops and animals not found in the Americas.
