Virginia US History SOL Practice Test 2025 – Your All-In-One Guide to Exam Success!

The term that describes the transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere following Columbus's voyages is the Columbian Exchange. This historical phenomenon began in the late 15th century and significantly altered agriculture, economies, and cultures on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Columbian Exchange involved the introduction of new crops, such as potatoes and corn from the Americas to Europe, which led to population growth and agricultural shifts. Conversely, the exchange also brought European crops and livestock to the Americas, greatly impacting Native American societies. Additionally, diseases like smallpox devastated indigenous populations in the Americas, further indicating the profound effects of this exchange.

Understanding the Columbian Exchange is crucial as it represents a critical moment in world history that shaped global interactions, economies, and demographics for centuries to come. This terminology captures the complexity and extensive nature of these exchanges more accurately than the other choices provided, making it the correct term.