"They
... brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other
things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks' bells. They
willingly traded everything they owned... . They were well-built, with
good bodies and handsome features.... They do not bear arms, and do not
know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut
themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of
cane... . They would make fine servants.... With fifty men we could
subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want."
- Christopher Columbus, 1492
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Module 1: The Spanish Century, 1492-1607
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Essential Question
How did initial contacts between the Old and New Worlds
transform the Atlantic World?
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Main Reading (required)
Crosby, Alfred W. "Infectious Disease and the Demography of the
Atlantic Peoples." Journal of World History 2, no. 2
(1991): 119-33. (pdf)
(discussion
questions)
Textbook Reading (not required but helpful to make sense, review)
YAWP, Ch 1 [link]
Overview Essays (Click on underlined title to read.)
Crosby, “Columbian
Exchange.”
Mancall, “Imperial
Rivalries.”
Gallay, “Indian
Slavery in the Americas.”
Miller, “Americas
to 1620.”
Video (on modern historical memory)
Last Conquistador [link]
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Primary Source Documents (Click on [link] to see.)
Columbus’ Letter to Ferdinand and Isabella, 1492 [link]
Pope Alexander’s 1493 Papal Bull [link]
Valladolid Debate, 1551 [link]
Aztec Account of the Attack, 1520 [link]
Las Casas’ “In Defense of the Indians”,
1552 [link]
Cabeza de Vaca, 1542 [link]
Haklyut, 1584
[link]
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Remember the Learning Cycle
Review it on the syllabus.
1.
Pre-Module Preparation: Read the module’s main reading
and/or overview essays, textbook pages, as assigned in preparation for
the cycle, keeping in mind the essential question. Do any notes that may
have been assigned. Look for main ideas and theses of authors. Also note
any key and important facts. Skim through the primary sources too.
2.
Phase A in Class: In class we will discuss the essential
question and articles. Pay attention and prepare for your homework by
asking questions and contributing where you can.
A seminar on the main reading may be part of this phase.
Phase A at Home:
You will be assigned a
QED (quod erat demonstratum);
which is a 3 paragraph argument. Paragraph one is written using the
G-Method and paragraphs 2 and 3 support it with PEEL. This is meant to
be a work in progress but must be written in academic tone. It should
address the essential question from a particular perspective chosen by
you (choose a branch and a concept
here). When you write use
articles and PSDs as evidence, always cite them
properly inline or with footnotes. After writing, you should be post the QED on the module’s
Brightspace discussion board (when available). Look at what your classmates posted and
comment on at least one other students’ arguments with questions, ideas,
ideas for further studies. Or, if you're bold, go ahead and
challenge them politely and with facts.
3.
Phase B in Class: You and your classmates will lead
discussion in a semi-formal Writing Seminar wherein you should be
prepared to defend their particular ideas and arguments from your QED
and ask questions of others. Mr. Plencner will fill in gaps when needed.
Phase B at Home:
You will have to take
the work done on their QED and expand it into a 5 paragraph, more formal
essay in response to the essential question. It will be a masterpiece of
history and something you should be proud of to include in the history
book you are writing. There may be time in class to peer edit and review
this with teacher and classmates before final submission. This will be
submitted typed up and complete.
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