Christopher Columbus and Transatlantic Encounters

Columbus Crosses the Atlantic In 1492, Columbus’ seafaring voyage, landed in the “New World” He was startled at the generosity of the Taino Indians. Two worlds collided. He named the island San Salvador (what is now The Bahamas) and claimed it for Spain.

Why did Columbus embark on his journey? Gold – Columbus searched for gold on every island he explored. Land – He named every island he explored, and claimed it for Spain. Religion – He planted a cross every place he entered.

Spanish Footholds Columbus returned to the Indies a year later as an empire builder. He brought with him 17 ships and hundreds of soldiers with cannons, crossbows, and swords. He oversaw priests and more than 1,000 colonists.

Columbus’ Impact on Native Americans Disease ravaged the Native Americans Measles, mumps, chicken pox, and typhus. Without any immunity to these diseases, Native Americans died by the thousands. Read Zinn about Hispaniola. Disease conquered region after region. War and slavery also contributed to the genocide.

The Impact of the “New World” on Africans Africans provided a new slave labor force to relieve the labor shortage. Eventually, over 12 million Africans would be forcibly taken in the slave trade.

The Impact of the New World on Europeans It inflamed national rivalries The Columbian Exchange brought vast wealth to the nations of Europe.

The Columbian Exchange The global transfer of things, from Europe, to Africa, to the Americas, and back to Europe. What were some of the things that were a part of the Columbian Exchange?

A Multicultural Society is Born Beginning with Columbus, and continuing to this day. The diversity of the United States is attributed to the cultural identities of Europeans, Africans and Native Americans

Is Columbus a Hero or a Villain?