What If Columbus Never Discovered America?

The video explores an alternate history where Christopher Columbus never discovered America. It discusses the complex societies that existed in the Americas before European colonization and the devastating impact of colonization, including the loss of lives and cultures. The video imagines how indigenous nations might have developed independently, with the Iroquois potentially emerging as a dominant culture. It also considers how diets and global trade would differ without the Columbian Exchange. The video concludes by reflecting on the lessons of history and the importance of respecting existing cultures.

What would the borders of America look like if Columbus had not discovered it?

• United as one nation

• Divided into several independent nations

• A single large empire

• Uninhabited lands

Who were some of the explorers that reached America before Columbus?

• The Vikings and the Polynesians

• The Chinese and the Japanese

• The Spanish and the French

• The Egyptians and the Greeks

What was one major consequence of European colonization in the Americas?

• The unification of all indigenous tribes

• The introduction of democracy

• The discovery of new continents

• The deaths of millions due to disease and conflict

How were indigenous populations labeled during colonization?

• Europeans

• Africans

• Indians

• Asians

What was a significant factor in the deaths of indigenous populations during colonization?

• Natural disasters

• Introduced diseases like smallpox

• Famine

• Internal conflicts

Which indigenous group might have emerged as a dominant culture without European colonization?

• The Mayans

• The Aztecs

• The Iroquois

• The Incas

What staple food would not have been introduced to the Americas without European influence?

• Corn

• Wheat

• Tomatoes

• Potatoes

What would have been the impact on European diets without the discovery of America?

• No change at all

• Increased reliance on seafood

• Introduction of new spices

• Lack of American foods like corn and potatoes

What was the Age of Exploration?

• A time when nations sought new lands and resources

• An era of peace and prosperity

• A period of technological stagnation

• A phase of cultural isolation

What lesson does the video suggest we learn from history regarding new worlds?

• To ignore their existence

• To colonize them for resources

• To leave them alone if inhabited

• To conquer and exploit them