Old World Meets New World in US History

Submitted by david.thacker on
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The US often leads the way when it comes to innovation and exporting foods and products uniquely American.  But that hasn’t always been the case, as Ms. Harmers 8th grade US history student recent discovered.

They’ve been studying something called the Colombian Exchange.  According to a page on the Gettysburg College website, “The Columbian Exchange refers to a period of cultural and biological exchanges between the New and Old Worlds.  Exchanges of plants, animals, diseases and technology transformed European and Native American ways of life. Beginning after Columbus' discovery in 1492 the exchange lasted throughout the years of expansion and discovery.  The Columbian Exchange impacted the social and cultural makeup of both sides of the Atlantic. Advancements in agricultural production, evolution of warfare, increased mortality rates and education are a few examples of the effect of the Columbian Exchange on both Europeans and Native Americans.”

Ms. Harmer's US History classes topped off their study by competing in a relay race to decide which foods and other products belong in the old world and new world.  What an engaging way to learn!  That’s living the Lobo Way!

 Source: http://public.gettysburg.edu/~tshannon/hist106web/site19/index.html

Attributions
by Rillene Nielsen with Shea Harmer pictures by Shea Harmer