Unit 1 European Colonization of America Standards Strand

Unit 1: European Colonization of America

Standards • Strand: History • Topic: Colonization to Independence • European countries established colonies in North America as a means of increasing wealth and power. As the English colonies developed their own governments and economies, they resisted domination by the monarchy, rebelled and fought for independence. • Content Statement: 2 • North America, originally inhabited by American Indians, was explored and colonized by Europeans for economic and religious reasons.

• • Strand: History Topic: Historical Thinking and Skills Content Statement: 1. Primary and secondary sources are used to examine events from multiple perspectives and to present and defend a position.

Lesson 1: Columbus Expectations for Learning Explain the economic and religious reasons for the exploration and colonization of North America by Europeans. Essential Question: What were the reasons for Columbus’ colonization of the Americas?

Growing Commerce • By the late 1400’s, the world was going through a commercial revolution thanks to trade, and the development of trade routes • Europeans traded with Africa for items such as gold, ivory, salt, and slaves • Europeans traded with Asia for silk and spices • The Silk Road was a trade route that stretched for several thousand miles westward from China

• Countries in Western Europe such as Spain, England, France, and Portugal wanted to find new and faster sea routes to Africa and Asia. • Many Europeans also hoped to spread Christianity throughout the world

Columbus’ Background • Christopher Columbus was an explorer from Genoa, Italy. • He hoped to reach Asia by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. – A common name for Asia at the time was “the Indies” – This was a risky plan, as no one knew exactly the distance of the ocean west of Europe, the Atlantic.

• King Ferdinand Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to finance Columbus’ voyage – They hoped he would find a new sea route to the Indies so that Spain could better compete economically and gain an upper hand in the spice trade • Columbus was ordered to bring back any riches he may find on his trip, and to claim lands he explored for Spain. • Columbus would be rewarded with gold from the trip, profits from trading any goods, and the title of viceroy, royal governor, of the lands he explored.

Columbus’ Voyage • On August 3, 1492 Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands with three ships – The names of the three ships were the Niña, Pinta, and the Santa Mariá. – Columbus sailed on the largest of the three ships, the Santa Mariá.

• Columbus took advantage of currents and winds that allowed his ships to pass out of the range of most known maps. • The crew was at sea for 33 days, when on October 12, 1492, land was spotted.

• The ships landed on an island in the presentday Bahamas, which Columbus called San Salvador, which means “Holy Savior”. • Columbus thought he had landed near the coast of China or on the islands of Japan. • He did not realize he discovered a continent unknown to Europeans

Columbus’ Explorations • Columbus searched the nearby islands for raw goods and riches. • He met a tribe called the Taino (tie-no) on an island he named Hispaniola • He referred to these people as “Indians” because he believed he was in the Indies • Columbus described the Taino as generous people who lived in peaceful farming villages.

• Columbus was not interested in learning about the Taino culture, only in discovering gold. • Columbus explored nearby islands for gold and treasures for two months before returning to Spain.

Columbus returns to Europe • Columbus encountered troubles on the way back to Spain – The Santa Mariá sank, forcing Columbus to leave some of his crew to start a colony called La Navidad. • When he returned, Columbus visited the King and Queen and told them of his discoveries, and showed them the gold and rare treasures that he discovered.

• He also brought several Taino to teach them the Spanish language – He did this so he could communicate with the Taino on return voyages. – In all, Columbus would make four voyages back to the New World – Isabella wanted priests to convert the Taino to Christianity by changing their religious beliefs.

Columbus’ Dark Side • Columbus returned to La Navidad in 1493, to find the colony destroyed and the colonists murdered. – The Taino rebelled against the harsh treatment of the Europeans, such as enslavement, murder, and rape. – When Columbus returned, he punished and enslaved the Taino

• The search for gold led to the enslavement and abuse of the Taino people • Columbus saw the Taino as easy slaves – The Taino did not have advanced weaponry or armor like the Spanish – “With 50 men you could subject everyone and make them do what you wished” • The “best slaves” were sent to Spain, others were enslaved on the colony to look for gold.

"They. . . brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks' bells. They willingly traded everything they owned. . They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features. . They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane. . They would make fine servants. . With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want. ” – Christopher Columbus

"Endless testimonies. . . prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives. . But our work was to exasperate, ravage, kill, mangle and destroy; small wonder, then, if they tried to kill one of us now and then. . The admiral, it is true, was blind as those who came after him, and he was so anxious to please the King that he committed irreparable crimes against the Indians. . . ” – Bartolome de las Casas

• Such treatment made Ferdinand Isabella unhappy – In 1500 they removed Columbus from his position as governor – This was the only formal punishment Columbus received for the mistreatment of the Taino – We now celebrate Christopher Columbus for his “discovery”, with Columbus day, on the second Monday of October.

Disclaimer: The following slides contain graphic images. If you prefer, you can stop watching the video now. The images are of paintings from the time period that follow show the horrendous treatment of the Taino by the Spanish.