N this activity, you will examine and analyze historical records of the spread of disease during the era of the Columbian Exchange. Question 1
Global trade led to the spread of deadly diseases. As you’ve already learned, smallpox from Europe killed millions of people in the Americas during the Columbian Exchange era. Another devastating disease, known as the Black Death, originated in China and spread to Europe through trade. Between 1347 and 1353, the Black Death killed millions of people.

Now, examine the chart below. It shows the estimated rise and decline in populations (in the millions) from the years 1300 to 1700. Think about what these numbers might indicate about the spread of disease to different parts of the world.

Population (in Millions)

Year 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700
Americas 32 39 42 13 12
Africa 68 68 87 113 107
Europe 70 52 67 89 95
China 83 70 84 110 150
India 100 74 95 145 175
Part A
Look at the change in population in Europe from 1300 to 1400, during the Black Death epidemic. Use a calculator to determine the percentage that the population declined between those two centuries. To get the answer, you need to subtract the population between the two centuries. Then, divide this difference in the population with the population in the year 1300. Finally, multiply by 100 to get the decline in percentage.

Next, by using the same formula noted above, calculate the percentage that the population dropped in the Americas from 1500 to 1600, during the Columbian Exchange era. Which region of the world experienced a greater population decline? Based on this fact, what can you infer about the spread of disease because of global trade in Europe compared to the Americas?