Colonization of the Americas
 

Study Questions-Reading

The Earth and Its Peoples, pp. 472-84
1. Describe the Columbian Exchange.

2. What effect did the Spanish conquest and colonization of the New World have on native Americans and on the global economy?

3. Compare the Spanish and Portuguese colonial economies in the New World.

Human Record, "Spanish Perspectives on the New World," pp.19-26

1. How do Las Casas' and Sepulveda's definitions of "barbarian" differ?

2. How do Las Casas' and Sepulveda's views of Spaniards differ?

3. The judges could not decide on a winner of the debate. What explains this?

The World that Trade Created, 82-3, 143-6, 156-8
1. Why are potatoes and chocolate examples of the Columbian Exchange? How did the consumption of potatoes and chocolate spread to Europe?
2. What effect did Potosi's silver mine have on the surrounding region?  On the world economy?