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Two ecosystems commingled and clashed when Columbus waded ashore and the
Columbian Exchange commenced. “New World” agricultural products such as the
potato, tomato, maize (corn), tobacco, etc. revolutionized the international economy
as well as the European diet. In exchange the Europeans introduced the “New
World” to horses, swine, cattle, sugar cane, etc. The Spanish also brought
enslavement and armed aggression, but by far the deadliest killers of Native
Americans were European diseases that virtually wipe out the Native American
population. Spanish Conquistadors such as Cortez and Pizarro who brought death
and destruction to the Aztec and Inca led the conquest of the Americas. However,
Cabeza de Vaca developed some empathy and respect for the culture for the Native
Americans when he was briefly enslaved by the Indians and later traveled throughout
the southwest.
VIDEO OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are designed to assist the viewer in identifying the most
significant aspects of the video segment of this lesson. You should take succinct
notes while viewing the video.
1. Compare and contrast the effects of the Columbian Exchange on the Native
Americans and the Europeans.
2. Analyze the Spanish conquest of the Native Americans and describe the role
played by some of the key Conquistadors.
3. Evaluate successes and failures of Spanish colonization of the Americas.
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WEB ACTIVITIES
These activities are assigned at the discretion of your teacher. They are offered as
suggestions to help you learn more about the material presented in this lesson.
Activity 1: Columbian Exchange
a. Access the following web sites:
Columbian Exchange: http://daphne.palomar.edu/scrout/colexc.htm
Seeds of Change Garden. History: http://www.mnh.si.edu/garden/history/
b. Do a search for two other web sites that contain information on the
Columbian Exchange.
c. Write an analysis of which agricultural product or animal had the greatest
impact on Europeans and which product or animal had the greatest impact
on Native Americas as a result of the Columbian Exchange.
Activity 2: Analysis of an excerpt from Columbus’ Journal
a. Access the following web sites:
National Archives and Records Administration Document
Analysis Worksheets:
http://www.nara.gov/education/teaching/analysis/analysis.htm
Medieval Sourcebook: Christopher Columbus: Extracts from Journal:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html
b. Use the National Archives Written Document Worksheet as a guide to
analyze the excerpt from Columbus’ Journal.
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PRA
CTICE TEST
PRACTICE
After watching the video and reviewing the objectives, you should be able to
complete the following Practice Test. Access the Answer Key to score your answers
after you have completed the Practice Test.
Multiple Choice:
Select the single best answer. It will be indicated if more than one answer
is required.
1. Which of the following is a direct result of the Columbian Exchange:
A. Food products from America spurred European population growth.
B. Native American population increased due to European food products.
C. Europeans discovered Native American technology was superior to
European technology.
D. Native American diseases wiped out over 50% of the
European population.
2. As a result of Columbus, voyages to America:
A. The continents of North and South America, Europe, and Asia
were linked together.
B. The Pope declared a Demarcation Line that divided the “New World”
between Portugal and Spain.
C. Columbus became Governor of Mexico.
D. Spain’s influence in the European economy diminished.
3. Which of the following Conquistadors was the most respectful of Native
American cultures:
A. Cortez
B. De Soto
C. Pizarro
D. de Vaca
4. Which of the following phrases best describes the forces that guided the
Conquistadors:
A. God, Industry, and Glory
B. God, Glory, and Family
C. God, Gold, and Greatness
D. God, Gold, and Glory
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5. Which of the following is most characteristic of Spanish colonization in the
“New World?”
A. Primary emphasis was placed on agriculture and secondary emphasis was
placed on mineral wealth.
B. Missionaries were encouraged to Christianize the Native Americans.
C. There was a desire to find a southwest passage to the Far East.
D. Emphasis was given to replacing African laborers with Native
American laborers.
Essay Question:
1. Identify the five most significant results of the Columbian Exchange and explain
the reasons for your choices.
Answers to the Practice Test:
The correct answer is indicated first, followed by the objective (s) that correlate
with the test question. (see page 3.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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A:
B:
D:
D:
B:
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1
2
2
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