Have your class consider what life in South America would have been like if it were colonized by a country other than Spain. This presentation provides information on the influences and effects of Spanish exploration and colonization of...

Your students' world will literally take shape in this presentation, which chronicles the growing edges of the (flat) earth during European Exploration of New Worlds. Dias, da Gama, Magellean, and Columbus are key players in this game of...

Ninth graders compare and contrast different Carnavals throughout Latin America. In this Latin American lesson, 9th graders study the geography and colonial history of Latin America.

Witness the birth of the Americas in this presentation, which details the European Explorers who contributed to adding vital details on our modern-day maps. Viewers' worlds will literally expand after seeing the results of Cortes and the...

Every major concept, key term, and definition that an AP US history student should know for a test prep session and the big exam is right here in this comprehensive, well-organized study guide. 

Tenth graders discuss what their prior knowledge of the exploration of the Americas/Caribbean and the history of the island of Haiti. They trace Columbus' journey from Spain to Hispaniola and locate Haiti in the Caribbean and read the...

Eighth graders examine the conquest of the Americas. In this Exploration instructional activity, 8th graders locate the areas of colonization. Students create a visual map of these areas of conquest.

Students create a study guide on colonization of North America. In this American Colonization lesson, students complete a chart of explorers and their conquests. Students complete a crossword puzzle using explorer facts. Students read...

Students research the Aztec culture in Mexico. They focus on their religious practices. They write a goal to personally sacrifice something. They also write about the costs and benefits of a sacrifice.

In this exploration of the America's study guide worksheet, pupils respond to 13 short answer questions. The questions correlate to assigned readings in a textbook.

God, gold, and glory motivated European nations to explore and create colonies in the New World. This article discusses the Crusades and how they influenced European colonization projects.

Essay on the battle between indigenous peoples and Europeans and the beginnings of Anglo-European domination of North America during final stage of conquest, 1740s.

Describes the achievements and sophistication of the Incan Empire prior to being conquered by the Spaniards under Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro had their emperor, Atahualpa, executed after keeping him captive for months while the Inca gave...

King Leopold portrayed himself as charitable with his primary goal of helping Africans, when in reality he was a fraud and scoundrel who just wanted his "slice" of Africa. Read about his schemes to take over the Congo and an excerpt from...

The building of the Suez Canal was an engineering feat that allowed for quicker travel from Europe to Asia making Egypt a prime target for colonization. Study the history of the Suez Canal and how its construction led to British control...

Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes invaded the Aztec empire in the 16th century. This conquest led to the colonization of Mexico. The Newberry Library provides an in depth look into this period of Mexican history through photos,...

European arrival in the Americas decimated both indigenous people and previously-flourishing ecosystems.

This site provides a brief overview of the conquest of Brazil during approximately 1500 AD. Includes brief but good information about Portuguese imperialism and colonization of Brazil through 1600.

Interactive and animated maps and timelines of historical events and time periods in European history from Greek and Phoenician colonization up to the 20th century.

This resource features Native American activist, Bartolome de las Casas, one of the first Europeans to speak on cruelty directed towards the Native Americans. Click on "Bartolome de las Casas Activites" for related artifacts and activities.

European countries began exploring and seeking to dominate the rest of the world during the 15th and 16th centuries, thanks to their ability to control sea routes and to the discovery of the American continent. In the 19th century,...

After the Conquest, Spanish colonizers' first task was to convert the indigenous peoples to Christianity and eliminate their religious beliefs. Painted murals within their missions demonstrate the great fear and urgency of the...

Discover more about the history of the English language when you visit this informative site. Students and teachers will benefit from this educational resource.