USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The potatoes, tomatoes, corn, peppers, cassava and other plants native to the Americas did more than enliven the cook pots of Europe, Africa and Asia. They transformed cultures, reshuffled politics and spawned new economic systems that then, in a globalizing feedback loop, took root back in the New World, as well.

Detailed explanation-2: -The introduction of maize into the Old World, along with other New World foods, led to a population growth as the new foods helped support larger societies. Potatoes are native to South America but were transported to the Old World where they would become a key component of the diet of many Europeans for years to come.

Detailed explanation-3: -Maize was able to grow in areas that were too wet for wheat and too dry for rice (Crosby, 1972). The crop was also rotated with wheat, so Europeans could now grow two crops in a year instead of one crop (Crosby, 1972). Maize grows quickly and produces a large yield (Crosby, 1972).

Detailed explanation-4: -We studied maize and its importance in the Columbian Exchange. We found that Maize was a very important source of food for the Europeans, the American settlers, and the Native Americans. Our expectation was that Maize would be very useful in the Americas, and this was correct.