In 1-2 sentences, use one of the primary sources discussed in this lesson to create an argument about the significance of the Columbian Exchange and the transatlantic slave system to European expansion. (2 points)

Answer 1

The Columbian Exchange, as documented in early European accounts of new agricultural goods and resources, significantly fueled European expansion by enhancing food security and economic wealth, while the transatlantic slave system provided the necessary labor force for exploitative plantation economies, solidifying Europe's dominance in the New World. Together, these phenomena not only transformed European markets but also facilitated the rapid colonization and exploitation of the Americas.