Reference no: EM133290009
Assignment:
You have freedom to focus on what you think is important. However, here are some ideas to discuss. What were some of the key goals and characteristics of Spanish colonization in the Americas? What are some of the lasting impacts and legacies of Spanish colonization in North America?
Mini-Lecture: Colonization
Many histories of the United States begin with Columbus's discovery of the Americas. As we have learned, Columbus did not as much discover America, as he came into contact with old and well-developed civilizations that were previously unknown to Europeans. Columbus's voyages initially influenced mostly the peoples of Meso-America south of what is now the United States as they became the initial civilizations that felt the effects of European colonization. The European powers of Spain, Portugal, France, the Dutch and England saw the Americas as resources for precious metals, exotic goods, trade, land, slaves and religious converts.
The peoples of the Americas first saw the Europeans as economic and military partners, but as European desire for land increased, so did tensions between the groups. Although much is rightfully made about the effect of European war and slave raids on native societies, the role of disease can not be understated. Epidemics devastated American Indian civilizations and were perhaps the most important factor in allowing European conquest of the Americas.
Assigned Readings:
The American Yawp, Chapter, Sections III, IV and V.
OR
Readings: Oakes, Chapter, "The Worlds of Christopher Columbus", "American Portrait: Malinche: Cultural Translator", "Collision in the Caribbean", "Onto the Mainland" and "The Consequences of Conquest"
Make a discussion that discusses the readings on Spanish exploration from Chapter One in either your Oakes or American Yawp text. Here are some Ideas to address:
1. What were the goals of Spanish colonization in the Americas? What were some of the key characteristics of Spanish colonization? How did colonization effect Native communities?
Include specific examples and key quotes from your text to help demonstrate your knowledge of the readings two "well developed" paragraphs.