History of the Americas Study Guide spinning globe GIF spinning globe GIF

History of the Americas
The Columbian Encounter

Introduction

When Christopher Columbus landed in the "New World" he changed the course of human history. Some five hundred years later, Columbus's deeds are lauded by some and reviled by others.

Consequences of the Columbian Exchange

For many, the Encounter and subsequent Spanish settlement of the Americas is considered one of the most horrific events in history. The Spanish "Conquest" of Native America led to decimation of millions of indigenous peoples and the loss of rich cultures.

Columbus and His Legacy

A couple of good sites examine the legacy of Christopher Columbus. Columbus and the Age of Discovery places the man within the context of his times, the European "Age of Discovery". The Library of Congress 1492 Exhibit examines both the positive and negative aspects of the Columbian encounter.

Other Online Resources

Historical Text Archive: Discovery and Conquest
William H. Prescott's The History of the Conquest of Mexico

[Previous] [Index] [Next]

This page hosted by GeoCities Get your own Free Home Page
1