Examine the type and impact of trade that began with the Columbian period.

The trade that began with the Columbian period had a significant impact on the global economy and the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. This period marked the beginning of the Columbian Exchange, which involved the widespread transfer of plants, animals, foods, human populations, and diseases between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

The type of trade that began with the Columbian period was characterized by the exchange of commodities such as precious metals, spices, textiles, and agricultural products between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This trade also facilitated the transatlantic slave trade, which had a devastating impact on African societies and the lives of millions of people.

The impact of this trade was far-reaching. It led to the introduction of new crops and livestock to different regions, which transformed agricultural practices and diets. It also resulted in the spread of diseases, such as smallpox and measles, which had a catastrophic effect on indigenous populations in the Americas. Additionally, the Columbian Exchange had a profound impact on the global economy, as it facilitated the rise of mercantilism and the establishment of colonial empires.

Overall, the trade that began with the Columbian period had a lasting impact on the world, shaping the modern global economy and influencing the development of societies on multiple continents.