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The Columbian Exchange:  Global Impacts of European Colonization with Teofilo Ruiz

The Columbian Exchange: Global Impacts of European Colonization with Teofilo Ruiz


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

The voyage of Christopher Columbus in the fifteenth century not only marked the beginning of the Age of Exploration but also the first steps towards globalization. For the first time, there was an exchange between the old and new worlds with implications on trade, global economics, culture, and language. But what were the hidden or unexpected consequences of transatlantic navigation? Join historian Teofilo Ruiz and discover how the world on both sides of the ocean was been shaped by this early colonization, and what impacts are still with us today.
This seminar will explore the Columbus Exchange, a term coined by Alfred Crosby in the 1970s. Crosby studied the impacts of Christopher Columbus’ voyages to the new world and the transfer of people, crops, plants, animals, and disease between Europe, West Africa, and the Americas. This early circulation of goods and people has had positive and negative impacts globally. We’ll focus on how new products were received in the European market but also on epidemics and ecological disasters that resulted. One important aspect of this exchange was the beginning of Atlantic-African slavery and the evils that still are part of our world to this very day.
Led by an expert on Latin American history, Teofilo Ruiz, this interactive seminar will explore The Columbian Exchange and its lasting impacts. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of how early colonization shaped our world.

Teo F. Ruiz, PhD is a Cuban-American medieval historian and a Distinguished Research Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama. He is the author of 15 books.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
100%
(5)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
B.M. (Washington, US)
Enriching

Interesting to learn how historians are rethinking positions as they
/we move to better ways to review our past.

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
The Columbian Exchange

Dr. ruiz showed me a NEW way to look at the "discovery of the "New World". (not as "discovery" but as a place that was an old culture ! I spent a summer in Mexico - 1954 and I am truly in love with the history and culture.
Having enjoyed so much my encounters with this history a very long time ago at Texas University Dr. Ruiz re-aquainted me with what has been a part of history that I am fascinated with!

D
David (Oak Park, US)
Terrific Professor Teo

This was my 4th virtual seminar with Professor Teo and a very clear and thoughtful survey of the complicated consequences of European encounters with the “New World.”. Authoritative without any hint of absolutism. Highly recommended.

O
Oliva Espin (San Diego, US)
No title

Full of interesting information and connections among different topics. I always learn from Dr. Ruiz.

A
Anonymous (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
100%
(5)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
B.M. (Washington, US)
Enriching

Interesting to learn how historians are rethinking positions as they
/we move to better ways to review our past.

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
The Columbian Exchange

Dr. ruiz showed me a NEW way to look at the "discovery of the "New World". (not as "discovery" but as a place that was an old culture ! I spent a summer in Mexico - 1954 and I am truly in love with the history and culture.
Having enjoyed so much my encounters with this history a very long time ago at Texas University Dr. Ruiz re-aquainted me with what has been a part of history that I am fascinated with!

D
David (Oak Park, US)
Terrific Professor Teo

This was my 4th virtual seminar with Professor Teo and a very clear and thoughtful survey of the complicated consequences of European encounters with the “New World.”. Authoritative without any hint of absolutism. Highly recommended.

O
Oliva Espin (San Diego, US)
No title

Full of interesting information and connections among different topics. I always learn from Dr. Ruiz.

A
Anonymous (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment