The Great Exchange Activity


Using your notes from our in-class lectures, Chapter14 about the Columbian Exchange and Triangular Trade systems, you will create a picture representation of the Atlantic System.

This assignment requires that you show ALL of the major items, persons, plants, animals, and diseases that are exchanged in the following systems:

  1. Columbian Exchange
  2. Great Circuit ANDOther Triangular Trade Networks (these are the smaller trade networks in the Atlantic Ocean)

Further, you will also need to show the RAMIFICATIONS (these are the IMPACTS) of the Columbian Exchange to both the OLD WORLD and the NEW WORLD.

Now for the difficult part… You have to do all of the above without the use of any words!!!You AREallowed to (and should) create a key on the back of your map to identify your symbols, BUT you CANNOT use any words on your actual map. You may be asking yourself, “How do I possibly do this?” The answer is simple… use pictures to convey the important concepts of the Atlantic Systems. You may use clipart or images from the internet, but I recommend that you draw the images – it will help you to remember the concepts better. Be sure to show the triangular trade circuits (i.e. MORE THAN ONE), the flow of trade, which goods were being traded, and the ramifications of the Columbian ExchangeAND the Great Circuit. The ramifications (impacts) must also be shown pictorially on your map in the area of the world in which they occurred. The only exception to using words on your map is that you are allowed to label geographical areas (North America, South America, Africa, Europe, etc.). This assignment will be collected for a grade on December19thALL classes and will count as a project grade for the second quarter.

A couple of hints to help you out… make sure you are showing the animals, plants, and diseases that are exchanged BOTH from the Old World to the New World AND from the New World to the Old World. Also, for the ramifications, make sure that you show how each area (Europe, Africa, and the Americas) was IMPACTED (the EFFECTS!). For example, you could show the following to illustrate that the population of cattle increased greatly in the New World after they were introduced in 1492.

Remember, I am by no means an artist and I don’t expect you to be one either! I am more concerned that you have accurate information than beautifully illustrated images. However, your final product should look good… you will lose points if it looks like you put little effort into it. If you have any questions, please email your instructor and good luck!

You MUST follow the example on the back of this sheet!!!