First Encounters

First Encounters

Accounts of Exploration & Exploitation

Open Ended

Have you ever encountered someone who doesn't speak the same language as you? How did you communicate? Was it easy?

First Encounters

• Accounts of Exploration and Exploitation

Miscommunication

One of the first men to communicate with Columbus cut his hand on Columbus's sword because he didn't know what a sword was

Poll

What year did Christopher Columbus land in the Americas claiming the land for Spain?

• 1392

• 1442

• 1492

• 1502

Motivations for Coming to the Americas

• a desire for fame and adventure

• to find great riches

• a shortcut to China & India where spices, silks, gold and other luxuries were already found

• to spread Christianity

• Religious freedom

Love God or Die

• People who were not Christian had to be converted by persuasion or force... by the Protestants and Catholics

• Those who rejected Christianity were considered enemies of God and would be enslaved or killed

Other Ugly Truths

• Slavery was commonplace all around the world and widely accepted by all religion

• Enslaved Africans accompanied most of the Spanish & Portuguese explorers in the Americas

• Because Indians were too susceptible to European diseases and harsh treatment, Africans took their place

• "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano" reveals the harsh truths and terror aboard slave ships

Multiple Choice

What is one reason the European explorers came to the Americas?

• to buy slaves

• to encounter new people

• to obtain riches and luxuries

• to go on vacation

Poll

Do you think all of the explorers have the same experiences when encountering Native Americans for the first time?

• yes

• no