The Columbian Exchange-What were Positive and Negative Aspects of Trade During Exploration of the Western Hemisphere?

In Individuals & Society, we participated in two trade simulations that allowed us to experience the positives and negatives of trade before and after European explorers arrived in the New World. First, students were separated into two groups; one representing Europe and the other representing the New World. Each student was given a card with a food on it. Students could trade for other foods but only with members of their groups.

Positives Identified:
*"It was easy to find people to trade with."
*"It was organized and didn't get too crazy."

Negatives Identified:
*"We were limited in the foods available"
*"I couldn't find what I wanted."
*"Nobody in the small group wanted the food I had."

Next, both groups were brought together and students were open to trade with anyone. This represented how trade expanded with the arrival of the European explorers.

Positives Identified"
*"There were more food options available."
*I had more people who were interested in trading with me."

Negatives Identified:
*"I couldn't meet with everyone to see what was available, so I might have missed something."
*It got really busy and hectic!"
*"A bunch of people wanted my food, and I didn't want what they had."

After the two simulations, we discussed how ideas, diseases, and even slaves were also traded during the Columbian Exchange. Next, students worked in pairs to explore various resources on the topic and to identify positive and negative aspects of trade. This was a great opportunity to use our synthesizing strategy from reading groups to collect facts and information to deepen our thinking! Our next step is to research our expert explorers through the lens of trade!