PASS 2.1 & 2.2
• Examine the reasons for, the problems
faced in, and the results of key expeditions
of Portugal, Spain, France, the
Netherlands, and England (e.g., Columbus)
• Identify the impact of the encounter
between Native Americans and Europeans.
Christopher Columbus
Hero or Villain?
Successful or not?
Should we celebrate?
If so, celebrate what?
Reasons for exploring…
• European kings and queens were motivated by
GOLD – which meant wealth for their
nations
GLORY – for the explorers and nations
who found and claimed new lands
GOD – they justified their conquering
by doing it in the name of God.
Christopher …
• Born in Genoa, Italy
• Thought by sailing west – ships could reach
the Indies and establish a new trade route
• He estimated 3000 miles (was closer to
10,000)
• King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain
agreed to finance him
• He left Palos, Spain with three ships … the
Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria
Quiz…
1. Columbus was from what nation?
2. Columbus sailed for what nation?
3. Name the three ships of the Columbus
4.
5.
6.
expedition.
Columbus was sailing for what land?
Why was he wanting to reach the Indies?
Name three reasons the Kings and Queens of
Europe wanted to explore the New World.
The expedition departs Palos, Spain
August 3rd, 1492
With three Ships and 88 men
Santa Maria – Nina and Pinta
Columbus … the 1st voyage
He thought it would take one month to reach
the Indies … it took two months to reach the
Bahamas in North America…
What he didn’t know … ?
• That North, Central and South America
was located between Europe and Asia.
• That it was 10,000 miles (not 3,000)
between Europe and Asia.
• He thought he could get to Asia in one
month, it took two to get to the “New
World.”
Spain
The Indies
THE NEW WORLD
THE OLD WORLD
MUTINY!
October 9, 1492 - Sailors aboard the three ships
warned Columbus that if land wasn’t spotted soon,
they would mutiny and force him to sail back to
Europe.
October 12, 1492 … land sighted
Where was he?
He thought
he had
reached
the Indies…
he had
actually
landed
in what is
now
called the
Bahamas.
He named
the island
San Salvador.
Who did he find in this New World?
•Columbus thought he
was in the Indies, so
he called the people
he found “Indians”.
The name stuck.
•These people were
actually Native peoples
who called themselves
“Taino”.
•The Taino people
were eventually wiped
out by the European
conquerors.
Columbus on the Tainos …
• Sunday, Oct 14, 1492
– These people are very unskilled in arms. Your
highnesses will see this for yourselves when I
bring to you the seven that I have taken.
After they learn our language I shall return
them, unless Your Highnesses order that the
entire population be taken to Castile, or held
captive here. With 50 men you could subject
everyone and make them do what you
wished.
Impact of discovery on Tainos …
• Prior to discovery, it is estimated the
Tainos numbered in the millions, perhaps
as many as 3 million.
• 1542 – Bartolome de las Casas writes that
a mere 200 Tainos still live in Espanola
 Rethinking
Columbus: The Next 500 Years
So….. was he a discoverer?
Or a conqueror?
If you were an European, it
was a voyage of discovery
… a New World to be
explored and exploited.
If you were one of 500
Nations of North American
Indigenous Peoples, it was
an invasion that would
result in the taking of your
land and the death of
millions of your people.
The “Columbian Exchange” begins
• Columbian exchange was an exchange of
goods between the two worlds.
• Columbus kidnapped six Tainos and took
them back to the Queen. He also took
some plants and animals.
• The Queen sends Chris back for three
more voyages to the “New World”.
Land Claims of the first voyage…
• Jamaica
• Puerto Rico
• Hispaniola
• Cuba
Columbus Monument in
Washington D.C.
Voyages 2, 3, and 4 …
• He never found the spices, gold or jewels
that he thought he would find.
• Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand are not
happy.
• After 3rd voyage – he is sent back to Spain
in chains.
• After 4th voyage – he returned to Spain a
total failure.
A sad end …
• Columbus never
•
•
realized he had
found a New World.
Died thinking he
had reached the
Far East.
Was considered a
failure at the time
of his death.
Review …
1. Where did Columbus sail from?
2. Where, in the New World, did Columbus
3.
4.
5.
6.
land?
Where did he think he was?
What people did he find?
Who did he think these people were?
What name did he give them?
Thinking questions …
Short answers:
• Explain how
• Explain how
• Explain how
• Explain how
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
was
was
was
was
a
a
a
a
hero.
villain.
failure.
success.