https://padlet.com/ali_jafferi_64/q243p59wir By Ali Jafferi en-us 2018-10-23 23:50:08 UTC 2023-05-09 12:21:46 UTC hello@padlet.com ali_jafferi_64 https://padlet.com/ali_jafferi_64/q243p59wir/wish/296236597 Today, the potato is the one of the 5 most important crops in the world. It was first introduced to Europe through Spanish conquistadors trading  in the 1500's with the Native Americans inhabiting Peru. When it was first brought to Europe, most people were very superstitious. Many believed it caused leprosy or it was an aphrodisiac and caused lust. Yet, these were the only short term effects of the trade. When the wheat harvest failed in 1794 and wheat prices had gone up, people forgot the superstitions and it saved them from famine. Not only that, as other famines across Europe hit countries such as Hungary and Ireland, more and more people became accustomed to it. It was also by royalty and nobles such as King Louis XIV that the peasants overcame that fear and began farming potatoes. In the long run, the potato had become one of the essential foods in ones diet at that time and as a consequence, provided essential nutrients so that fewer children would die and more people survived from infectious diseases. Whereas, the Europeans benefited so did the Native Americans as they received metal and beads. ]]> 2018-10-24 00:23:00 UTC https://padlet.com/ali_jafferi_64/q243p59wir/wish/296236597 ali_jafferi_64 https://padlet.com/ali_jafferi_64/q243p59wir/wish/297207517 Smallpox is deemed to be one of the deadliest diseases in American history. As a result of the Colombian Exchange, smallpox was first introduced to the indigenous people of america when they came in contact with the Spaniards in the 1500's. The indigenous people, naive and easily susceptible to this disease, having never developed an immunity, suffered a devastating defeat against the Spaniards as most of the people would get infected and be unable to fight. As a consequence, they fell victim to Spanish conquest and colonization. This was only a short term effect. In the long run, the disease ultimately proved to be fatal, wiping out almost over 90 percent of the indigenous population. In spite of this, the Europeans were exempt to the epidemic as they had developed an immunity overtime.]]> 2018-10-25 22:39:59 UTC https://padlet.com/ali_jafferi_64/q243p59wir/wish/297207517 ali_jafferi_64 https://padlet.com/ali_jafferi_64/q243p59wir/wish/297213987 The domesticated pig was first introduced to the New World during Columbus' second voyage to the West Indies in 1493. Pigs reshaped the food supply as they ate just about anything and were able to breed quickly. Trade amongst the Europeans and Native Americans proved to be successful as they were able to use the pigs for food, tallow, hides, transportation and hauling. Whereas the Europeans were able to acquire goods such as potatoes and maize for themselves. Not only that, the introduction of the animal allowed population to increase. Yet, that was only a short term effect. Epidemic diseases spread quickly within herd animals and as was previously stated, disease was a devastating factor affecting the lives of indigenous people. ]]> 2018-10-25 23:21:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ali_jafferi_64/q243p59wir/wish/297213987 ali_jafferi_64 https://padlet.com/ali_jafferi_64/q243p59wir/wish/297216757 2018-10-25 23:40:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ali_jafferi_64/q243p59wir/wish/297216757