Week 7: (Slides 1-3) 2 Flashcards
True or False: The Columbian Exchange only benefited European societies.
Answer: False
Explanation: While European societies gained wealth and new resources, the Columbian Exchange also brought devastating diseases to Indigenous populations and transformed ecosystems in both positive and negative ways.
Which of the following was NOT a direct result of the Columbian Exchange?
A. Spread of new crops like potatoes and maize to Europe
B. Introduction of horses to the Americas
C. Introduction of European diseases to Indigenous populations
D. Establishment of African trade routes in the Americas
D
Explanation: While the Columbian Exchange involved the forced migration of African people through slavery, African trade routes were not directly established within the Americas.
Define “Global Exchanges” in the context of European expansion.
Answer: Global Exchanges refer to the large-scale transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, initiated by European exploration and colonization.
Fill-in-the-Blank
The introduction of __________ in the Americas by Europeans revolutionized Indigenous modes of transportation and hunting.
Horses
Explanation: Horses, which were brought by Europeans, became essential in Indigenous cultures, particularly among Plains tribes for hunting and mobility.
Why was the concept of the Pristine Myth harmful to the recognition of Indigenous contributions to environmental management?
It created a narrative that Indigenous people were passive inhabitants rather than active shapers of their environment, undermining their sophisticated ecological knowledge and agricultural systems.
What was one ecological impact of the Columbian Exchange in Europe?
A. Decline in population due to new diseases
B. Introduction of maize and potatoes, leading to increased food security
C. Complete destruction of local European ecosystems
D. Permanent reliance on American crops exclusively
B
Explanation: The introduction of new crops like maize and potatoes improved food security in Europe and contributed to population growth.
Yes/No
Did Indigenous societies have methods to manage and manipulate their environments before European contact?
Answer: Yes
Explanation: Indigenous people used methods like controlled burns, agriculture, and irrigation to manage resources and sustain their communities, demonstrating sophisticated environmental knowledge.
Fill-in-the-Blank
European contact led to the massive decline in Indigenous populations due to diseases like __________ and influenza.
Smallpox
Explanation: Diseases introduced by Europeans, particularly smallpox, had devastating effects on Indigenous populations who had no immunity.
Why did the Columbian Exchange matter so much in terms of environmental history?
A. It marked the beginning of global trade in finished goods
B. It was the first time Europeans encountered different species
C. It reshaped global ecosystems, introducing non-native species and altering agriculture and diets worldwide
D. It had minimal impact compared to other historical events
C. It reshaped global ecosystems, introducing non-native species and altering agriculture and diets worldwide
Explanation: The Columbian Exchange had profound ecological impacts, as species, crops, and diseases were exchanged between continents, reshaping environments and societies.
In what ways did Indigenous environmental manipulation challenge the “Truth of the Americas”?
Indigenous environmental manipulation, such as agriculture, land clearing, and resource management, challenges the perception of the Americas as untouched wilderness, instead showing that Indigenous peoples actively shaped and managed their environments for sustainability and civilization-building.
