Why It Matters With financial backing from Spain’s monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, Christopher Columbus “found” the Americas. He then returned to conquer the land, exploit its wealth, and convert its people to Christianity. That process changed the Americas, Europe, and Africa. First Encounters

As the representative of a Christian nation, Columbus believed that he had the right and duty to dominate the people he found. “They should be good servants and intelligent, for I observed that they quickly took in what was said to them, and I believe that they would easily be made Christians, as it appeared to me that they had no religion. I, our Lord being pleased, will take hence, at the time of my departure six natives....” —Journal of Christopher Columbus, October 1492 First Encounters

The Conquistadors –Hernán Cortés –Aztecs Tenochtitlan Moctezuma –Francisco Pizarro –Incas First Encounters

Native Population Declines –Weaponry Steel-edged swords, pikes, and crossbows. Guns – (psychological advantage). Horses. First Encounters

–Devastation of Disease Smallpox, typhus, diphtheria, bubonic plague, and cholera. From about 300,000 in 1492, the island’s population declined to a mere 500 by Leads to slavery First Encounters

Effects of Exploration Columbian Exchange –Exchange of Plants and Animals colonists introduced their domesticated livestock: pigs, horses, mules, sheep, and cattle. Domesticated plants: including wheat, barley, rye, oats, grasses, and grapes. First Encounters

–Population Shifts European population doubled from 80 million in 1492 to 180 million in Move westward into Americas. First Encounters

Global Interdependence Use the excerpts to identify potential negative and positive consequences of global exchange and interdependence: Draw and complete the following table First Encounters Potential Positive ConsequencesPotential Negative Consequences

Class work Answer the following questions from your group activity: 1.What does Columbus claim to have found for Spain? 2.Contrast: In what ways do Lou Dobbs and the writer in the Economist differ in their opinion of outsourcing jobs? (pg. 27) 3.Link past and present: How do you think workers and political leaders in the United States should respond to increasing global interdependence? First Encounters