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Jan 1, 1450
Agriculture
In general, agriculture stayed the same throughout this period. The techniques that were used were constant, as well as popularilly spread. The no-change did in fact help society, however, as the methods that were proven to work were not changed, and their value did not lessen. -
Period: Jan 1, 1450 to
Environmental Changes Over Time
Between the periods of 1450-1750, the environment took its toll. The environment experienced both positive and negative humanmade effects during this time. Some of these effects are still seen today, and have worsened over time. Other effects were short term, and have somewhat vanished in the wind. Trading, the slave trade, and the Columbian Exchange all played their own role in changing the environment. -
Jan 1, 1492
Columbus
When Christopher Columbus sailed across the ocean, the Columbian Exchange followed him. The Exchange displaced animals and various types of crops, causing a dramatic environmental change. New crops were able to spark growth in new countries, which boosted their popularity. This also brought environmental changes, as soil was irrigated, and its' moisture depleated. -
Jan 1, 1500
Disease
Diseases such as smallpox are brought to the Americas by Europeans. Malaria, as well, is brought over by slaves as part of the slave trade. These diseases cause drastic changes in population, as well as fertillity. This drop in population leads to less production, field working, and a lesser quality of life. It would take great measures to recover from this drought. -
Jan 1, 1502
African Slave Trade Begins
African slaves are firsr beought to the Americas. This causes a drastic change in the environment, as slaves increase the agricultural production of society. Soil is used as part of everyday life, as well as water to keep the plants healthy and cause them to grow. As more slaves come over to the Americas, more production takes place. This causes a negative effect for the slaves, who are overworked and mistreated, but a positive effect on the colonies, as famine is avoided. -
Jan 1, 1571
Eurasian Fur Trapping
Fur trapping in Eurasia stayed constant during the period between 1450-1750. This had become a major part of everyday life, and stayed that way for centuries. Eurasia did not participate in the Columbian Exchange, which further proves that their fur trapping stayed constant. -
Climate Change
In the early 1600''s, a dramatic climate change took place in Ming China. Temperatures dropped severely, causing negative effects throughout. One negative effect was on agriculture. Production fell as crops were not used to such harsh conditions. This loss in production caused for a famine to break out, which led to a rise in death rates throughout China. Among deaths, health of the general population took a toll as well, as more sicknesses took place. -
Silk Road Usage Decreases
As the usage of ships increased, so did water trade. The help of newer technologies helped this change to occur, as well. Because of these new innovations, the Silk Road was used far less, or almost not at all. This change was not necessarily bad, as trade was taken to a new level, but it did change the routes that merchants chose to trade upon. -
Demographics
As slaves and people from Europe began to make their way over to the Americas, demography took a major shift. As the people of these different nations mixed and came together, new races were formed that would last up until this day. This change was drastic in this environment because families were able to come together and expand, as well as create new races, religions, and ethnicities. -
Deforestation
Deforestation became a big environmental disadvantage among the colonies. As more trees were cut down, forests shrunk in sizes, causing little to no forests to remain till this day. This is a negative effect because it still effects us today, and huge companies still cut down trees, basically because they can. This is also a positive effect because forests are not overgrown, and the wood from the trees can be put towards things that are needed in our everday lives. -
Environmental Damages
With agriculture came benefits and losses. One of the biggest losses was for the land itself. Soil depletion increased, and farmers did nothing to help. As soon as the soil dried up and was of no usage to the farmers, they would move onto new untocuhed land and continue their damages. This was a negative change as the Earth's condition grew terrible, and settlement was not permanent among those in the colonies.