Transatlantic Encounters United States History: Mr. Vanderporten

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

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!!!!!

Columbus’s First Voyage

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

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

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

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

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

The Columbian Exchange

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

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

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?