Fasttrack to America's Past
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Page 11
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Background for the discussion questions

1.  Explain why Spain and...

   Spain and Portugal face the Atlantic Ocean, and were not along the existing routes to the Far East in 1400.  The Italian trading cities like Venice and Genoa had control of the European end of the overland routes.
   The Far East trade was the source of great wealth for the Italian cities.  This wealth had helped spark the Renaissance, and continued to boost the power and prestige of Italian cities. 
   As a result, the Spanish and Portuguese explored the possibility of a sea route the Far East.  Such a route would help them tap into the trade available with that part of the world.  Ships, of course, would also be able to carry far heavier loads of trade goods than overland caravans of animals.
   Portugal explored the Atlantic in a very systematic way, led by Prince Henry the Navigator.  Much of their effort was concentrated down along the coast of Africa.  Eventually they reached the tip, and sailed on to India and the Far East. 
   Spain did not get involved as quickly as Portugal, but by sponsoring the voyage of Christopher Columbus, it moved to first place in exploration of the New World.

2.  What new approach did...

   Columbus knew the world is spherical in shape.  He knew that if he sailed westward, he could eventually reach the Far East.  Columbus was a very skilled sailor and navigator from Genoa (Italy), but found support for his 1492 expedition from the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.
   Columbus was mistaken, however, about a key fact.  He believed the Earth to be much smaller than it really is, and therefore believed that the Far East was closer than it really is.  His ships sailed from Spain to the Canary Islands off the African coast, then went westward across the Atlantic ocean until he landed in  the islands of the West Indies. 

3.  Describe the leading theory...

   Most scientists believe the Native Americans originated in Northern Asia.  The earliest groups came across to what is now Alaska between 11,000 and 40,000 years ago. 
   By the time of European contact, Indian societies had developed widely varied patterns of life. 
   The account of Thomas Harriot (page 1 - 15) shows many similarities between the Native American culture and that of the Europeans.  In both cultures, towns existed with leaders and governments.  Both cultures had well-developed religious ideas, and worshiped in special houses or churches.  Both depended mainly on agriculture for food. 
   Some contrasts can also be found.  Native Americans had not developed the technology familiar to the Europeans of that time, such as clocks, iron weapons, compasses, etc.  Indians did not develop writing as Europeans had.  The Indians that Thomas Harriot met believed that the gods created a woman first, while Christian Europeans believed that a man (Adam) was created first.

4.  What were the main reasons...

   Students should recognize three main forces behind the Spanish conquest:  "Gold, God, and Glory."
   A spirit of aggressive pursuit of wealth grew as the Age of Discovery began.  Conquest of other lands opened the door to social status and power in European society.  Certainly this was the greatest motivating factor for the conquistadors.
   Religion was another powerful force.  To the Spanish at that time, the spread of Christianity and their Catholic faith was a duty owed to God.  So powerful was this belief that it led to actions that often horrify readers of history today. 
   Finally, the desire for personal glory has always been a powerful drive.  The conquest of new lands attracted many Spaniards and others to the dangerous expeditions to the New World. 

5.  Describe the impact of...

   The Spanish conquest was a disaster for Native Americans living at that time.  Indian social and economic life was totally disrupted and in many cases destroyed in the areas of European conquest.  Many groups disappeared entirely, and others were reduced by epidemics of European diseases.
   As Europeans like Bartolome de Las Casas began to question the actions of the Spanish conquest, an important question appeared:  Are all the world's people equally human, even if they differ greatly in appearance and ways of life?
   The question was studied and widely debated by religious leaders and scholars of the 1500s.  The debate led to a proclamation from the Catholic Church and the Spanish king that Indians must not be enslaved or abused.  Still, the understanding that all groups are equally human, and equally entitled to human rights and dignity, was long undermined by social attitudes based on racism.  Erasing such attitudes has been one of the great challenges for the people of the world in modern times.

6.  Explain how the geographic...

   The patterns of conquest in the Age of Discovery are still visible on a modern map that shows languages spoken by today's populations.  Such maps can be found in specialized atlases, or students can create their own on a blank map of the Western Hemisphere.
   Most people in Mexico and the countries in Central and South America speak Spanish, and have cultures that mix Spanish and Native American practices and beliefs.
   Brazilians speak Portuguese, reflecting the historical pattern of settlement there. 
   In Canada, English is spoken by most people, but many people in the province of Quebec still speak French.  In the United States, English is the primary language, reflecting the location and growth of the early English colonies.  Spanish is a strong second language in many areas, especially in Florida, Texas, and California.  That is a reflection partly of modern immigration trends, but also the historical pattern of conquest and settlement in the Age of Discovery.





Copyright Notice

   Copyright 2018 by David Burns.  All rights reserved.  Illustrations and reading selections appearing in this work are taken from sources in the public domain and from private collections used by permission.  Sources include: the Dover Pictorial Archive, the Library of Congress, The National Archives, The Hart Publishing Co., Corel Corporation and its licensors, Nova Development Corporation and its licensors, and others.  Maps were created or adapted by the author using reference maps from the United States Geological Survey and Cartesia Software.  Please see the home page for this title for more information.