The Age of Exploitation and Imperialism?
Due October 4, 2012
According to various online dictionaries, exploitation is the selfish utilization of others for one’s own purposes while imperialism is defined as the act of gaining control over an other’s lands: politically, economically and socially. Keeping these definitions in mind continue with the following blog.
During the early 15th century until the late 17th century, Europeans took the the seas in search of new products, markets and land. As these intrepid sailors spanned the globe; new lands, cultures and peoples were “discovered” that were foreign to the European way of life. Europe went from being a small, barbaric and backward continent to becoming the premier power and center of the world marketplace and culture.
Many historians, particularly the late Dr. Howard Zinn saw this transformation of Europe as the result of the conquest of the New World, Africa and Asia for their own selfish purposes! These historians claim that the empires created by European monarchies allowing them to accumulate vast amounts of wealth and power came at the expense of the indigenous people in the areas.
For this blog, each student will research an “explorer” and make a case for their role in helping make this Age of Exploitation and Imperialism. Remember each “explorer” should only be covered by one student only (you do not have to use the same person as the last blog!), thus if someone has already done a particular “explorer” then you must now choose a different person (the earlier you do the blog the more choices you will have of subject!). Remember you are required to do an initial post (your subject) and then comment on at least two other posts to meet the requirements of the assignment (please refer to your rubric!). The following links are made available to assist you in preparing your initial blog post. These entries offer a thumbnail sketch of the various “explorers” and will require students to do further research. Remember to cite all sources that you use in your initial and subsequent posts. Wikipedia or any wikis are never acceptable sources!
(You Must Read This First)
Columbus, The Indians and Human Progress
http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinncol1.html
• Acuña, Cristóbal de, Spanish Jesuit missionary and explorer in South America
• Alarcón, Hernando de, Spanish explorer in the Southwest
• Anza, Juan Bautista de, Spanish explorer and official in the Southwest and the far West
• Balboa, Vasco Núñez de, Spanish conquistador, discoverer of the Pacific Ocean
• Cárdenas, García López de, Spanish explorer in the Southwest.
• Cabeza de Vaca, Álvar Núñez, Spanish explorer
• Cabot, John, English explorer
• Cabot, Sebastian, explorer in English and Spanish service
• Cabral, Pedro, Portuguese explorer
• Cabrillo, Juan Rodríguez, Spanish conquistador and discoverer of California
• Cartier, Jacques, French navigator
• Champlain, Samuel de, French explorer, the chief founder of New France
• Columbus, Christopher, European explorer
• Coronado, Francisco Vásquez de, Spanish explorer
• Cortés, Hernán, Spanish conquistador
• da Gama, Vasco, Portuguese navigator
• De Soto, Hernando, Spanish explorer
• Dias, Bartolomeu, Portuguese navigator
• Drake, Sir Francis, English navigator and admiral
• Eric the Red, Norse chieftain, discoverer and colonizer of Greenland
• Gosnold, Bartholomew, English explorer and colonizer
• Henry the Navigator, prince of Portugal, patron of exploration
• Hudson, Henry, English navigator and explorer
• Jolliet, Louis, French explorer
• La Salle, Robert Cavelier, sieur de, French explorer in North America
• Leif Ericsson, Norse discoverer of America
• Magellan, Ferdinand, Portuguese navigator
• Marquette, Jacques, French missionary and explorer in North America
• Pizarro, Francisco, Spanish conquistador
• Ponce de León, Juan, Spanish explorer
• Raleigh, Sir Walter, English soldier, explorer, courtier, and man of letters
• Verrazano, Giovanni da, Italian navigator and explorer
• Vespucci, Amerigo, Italian navigator in whose honor America was named
