After Christopher Columbus made contact with the New World, he sparked heightened activity between the New and Old Worlds, leading to the Columbian Exchange. The Columbian Exchange refers to the intentional and unintentional transfer of plants, animals, people, and diseases between the two regions. The exchange had both positive and negative effects on the populations and environments of both the Old and New World.

The native Indians of the New World were exposed to highly communicable diseases (such as smallpox) that decimated entire populations. The exchange also led to the Atlantic Slave Trade, which brought African people to the New World as a source of labour. However, despite the negative impacts, the New World got access to new technology that helped in enhancing food production. The Old World benefited by receiving access to new foods such as potatoes, maize, and tomatoes, which enhanced their diets.

A lot of activity was initiated by the Columbian Exchange between the New and Old Worlds, and one of the most long-lasting impacts can be seen in the transfer of people. The Columbian Exchange led to the settlement of Europeans and Africans in the Americas.