UNIT THREE: THE AGE OF EXPORATION
Essential question: Why did Europeans begin to explore and how did the results of their explorations change the world? Focus Questions for this unit: Core Curriculum
Curriculum of Connections
Curriculum of Practice
Curriculum of Identity
Overview The Age of Exploration started when Europeans were desperate to get spices from Asia but traders had to travel parts of the dangerous Silk Road to Asia to get them. European rulers sought a sea route to Asia. Through the efforts of Prince Henry, Portugal became the first European country to search for the sea route to Asia. Bartholomew Dias and his crew made it to Africa’s Cape of Good Hope then Vasco da Gama became the first to sail through the Indian Ocean to India. We begin our immersion into the period by looking at Prince Henry's vision and comparing it to the vision of President Kennedy who saw space as a frontier to explore. Our soda game will make the point about the financial benefits of exploration As we will discuss, Spain would soon take over the lead in exploration. When Portugal refused to finance Christopher Columbus’ idea to sail west to find the shortcut to the Indies, Columbus convinced Spain to finance it. Columbus and his crew reached the island of Hispaniola after three months in the Atlantic Ocean. Our analysis of primary sources allows us to see the worries and fears of Columbus. Spain quickly colonized North America. Permanent European settlements in the New World were established. Meanwhile, Hernando Cortes crushed the Aztec empire in Mexico. Francisco Pizarro did the same to the Incan Empire in South America. Other explorers claimed other portions of North America for Spain. As the Spanish empire grew, explorers forced native populations into slavery and to convert to Christianity. We must reflect upon the impact of these explorers on the lives of the people who were here before their arrival. The controversy over the celebration of Columbus Day illustrates the opposing views of Columbus. France also began to explore North America. England would soon attempt to make its presence known. Disputes and constant pirating resulted in a series of major wars between the competing nations. Time: approximately 2 weeks Individual lessons for this unit: Show Me The Money Lets Make a Deal The Reign of Spain The Race is On! Readings Dream of Prince Henry Bartholomew Dias Vasco Da Gama Christopher Columbus: The Age of Discovery Columbus and the New World Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus: Who Was That Man? The Truth About Columbus Line of Demarcation Who Was First? Leif Ericsson biography Viking that Beat Columbus Assessing Evidence of Viking Landings in North America Vasco Balboa biography Juan Ponce De Leon biography Ferdinand Magellan biography Francisco Pizarro biography Conquest of the Aztec Empire Cortes in Tenochtitlan Hernando Desoto biography Seven Cities of Cibola Francisco Coronado biography Giovanni da Verrazano's voyage to North America Jacques Cartier France Finds Land and Trade Samuel Champlain Marquette and Joliet Exploration of Marquette and Joliet Robert de LaSalle (biography) Jacques Marquette biography John Cabot biography Henry Hudson biography Primary Sources Journal of Christopher Columbus Chronicles of Giovanni Verrazano Diary of Father Marquette JFK speech at Rice University (We Will Go To The Moon) Simulations The Soda Ripoff (role play) Power points Show Me The Money Lets Make a Deal Chris Crossed The Reign of Spain The Race is on! Videos In the Footsteps of Marco Polo Quest for the Fountain of Youth (you tube) Extension Activities and Resources Reading: How The Search For Flavors Influence the World Reading: 10 Interesting Facts About the Aztecs Reading: The Race to Mars Reading: Why We Explore |
LESSONS
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