1. Transatlantic Encounters
United States History: Mr. Vanderporten

2. Christopher Columbus Columbus was an Italian sailor (born in Genoa)
Determined to find a quicker route to Asia
Why Asia? Land of silk, spices, gold etc.
Columbus also wants to spread Christianity
Financially supported by Spain’s monarchs
First voyage left Spain in August 1492

3. Columbus’s First Voyage
Famous three ships: the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria
Lookout on the Pinta sees land in October 1492
Meets with the natives, Tainos (“noble ones”)
Names the island, San Salvador (“Holy Savior”)
He is currently in the Bahamas, not Asia
Tainos are very friendly but Columbus wants GOLD!!!!!

4. Columbus’s First Voyage

5. Columbus’s First Voyage
Does not find gold on San Salvador
Moves on to explore other islands in the Caribbean, (Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola)
All this new land is claimed for Spain, thinks he has landed in islands off of Asia (Indies)
Calls the natives of the islands, los indios, “Indian”
Returns to Spain, second voyage leaves in September 1493
17 ships, armed soldiers, priests, colonists, hidalgos

6. Columbus and Colonization
Beginning of centuries long interaction between Native Americans and Europeans
Biggest problem for the Taino? European diseases
Europeans use the plantation system to subjugate the indigenous populations of the Caribbean
Use forced labor (SLAVERY)
Have superior weaponry to maintain control

7. Resistance and Disease
Native Americans fight back, numerous revolts take place
European diseases= measles, mumps, chicken pox, smallpox, and typhus
Indians have no natural immunity
1/3 of Hispaniola’s population dies because of disease

8. The Slave Trade Begins European settlers look to Africa for slaves
Demand for African slaves increases as more and more natives die because of European diseases
Europeans see they can make lots of money trading slaves
The slave trade would last for the next three centuries
Many Europeans now are voluntarily migrating to the Americas to escape social and economic constraints

9. The Columbian Exchange
Many new plants/animals are moving from continent to continent
Columbian Exchange- the transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere
Expansion also increases rivalries in Europe, Spain vs. Portugal
Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)- the Pope prevents war, agree to divide the Western Hemisphere, ignored by other European countries

10. The Columbian Exchange

11. A New Society is Born
Columbus lived on Hispaniola until 1500, he died in 1506 disappointed that he never reached China
Started chain reaction of people moving from Europe to the Americas (England to North America)
U.S. History begins with this interaction (NA, African, and European)
Native Americans and Africans resist giving up their cultural identities
Multiculturalism? Challenge and Asset

12. Exit Slip Take a few minutes to analyze the following poster.
Take notes about what you see.

14. Exit Slip 1. What is the message of the poster?
2. Do you agree with the artist’s opinion of Columbus?
3. Can you think of any other historical figures that could have a “Wanted” poster?