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Causes Of The Columbian Exchange

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The Columbian Exchange began years after Christopher Columbus discovered the “New World” in 1492. The Europeans wished to settle in the Americas in hopes of building their economy and spreading their religion. The Columbian Exchange brought about new ideas and technology, introduced cultures, spread diseases and began the exchange of new animals and crops to different parts of the continents. Agriculture had an important role during this time period. One reason for Spanish settlement in America was to profit from agriculture. The Native Americans showed Europeans helpful techniques in farming and tending to their crops. The Europeans in exchange introduced to them weapons and new tools such as guns, knives and axes.

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