Clash of Cultures
Columbus and the new world
Colonial Roots
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In an attempt to find
a new route to the Far
east, Columbus set
out with the support
of the Spanish Queen
Isabella
In 1492 Columbus
landed in the
Bahamas although
you may hear
otherwise.
Columbus Trivia!
What were the names of his ships?
Nina
Pinta
Santa Maria
Odd Facts
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Columbus could not
get funding from any
Italians so he sailed
for the Spanish who
funded him. Why?
America is named
after Amerigo
Vespucci who never
set foot in North
America. He was
actually a map
maker!
Contact
After two months of travel with a
crew of 50 men, Columbus spotted
land.
 Actually, it is said that one of his
crew members spotted it first (A man
named Rodrigo), but Columbus did
not want to give him the credit.
 YouTube - 1492 (Columbus sighting
land)

Columbian Exchange
Pathogens
 Small Pox
 Measles
 Plagues
 Yellow Fever
Plants & Weeds
 Carrots
 Onions
 Wheat
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Animals
Horses
Cattle Pigs
Sheep
Columbian Exchange cont’d
Native lifestyle changes drastically
since contact.
 120,000 Natives in America during
settlement only 20, 000 survived.
 Replacement of Indian Technology
 Transformation of natural landscape
 Conflict over Land ownership
 In some areas Native populations
were completely destroyed

Columbian Exchange II
Items brought to Europe
Goods
 Gold
 Furs
 Silver
 Sugar
Plants
 Corn
 Potatoes
 Tomatoes
The New World was a great source of Raw
Materials and provided markets for European
manufactured goods.
(Mercantilism – a state’s power depended on
its wealth. The aim of every nation was to
become as wealthy as possible.
What happened?
To follow was 300 years of war.
 Slavery, violence, death and
destruction mainly directed towards
the Native peoples.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g
NCuXR5hhls&feature=related
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Columbus’ ugly side
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Videos of Famous Historical
Figures - Biography.com
Columbus did return
to the New World.
In 1493, 1498 and
1502.
He returned with
intent to enslave the
natives, retrieve gold
and increase his
overall legend.
He did not find much
of the gold he was
looking for and many
of his intended slaves
died on the journey
Fate of the Natives
Some of the research surrounding
Columbus does not paint a pretty
picture.
 So why is Columbus day celebrated
in the United States?
 YouTube - Columbus Day

Remember: Bias/Frame of
Reference
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Columbus Day recognizes the achievements of
a great Renaissance explorer who founded the
first permanent European settlement in the New
World.
The arrival of Columbus in 1492 marks the
beginning of recorded history in America.
After Columbus, came millions of European
immigrants who brought their art, music, and
culture.
These people helped shape the United States
and include Greek democracy, Roman law,
Judeo-Christian ethics and the tenet that all men
are created equal.
More reasons…
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Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. In fact, the
Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 in
honor of the 400th anniversary of his first
voyage. That year, President Benjamin Harrison
declared Columbus Day a legal holiday.
The United States has a significant collection of
Columbus memorabilia, including his desk,
papers, and the cross he used to claim the New
World for Spain.
Columbus Day is the only day on which the
nation recognizes the heritage of an estimated
26million Italian Americans.