iCivics
I Civics: Columbus to the Colonies
From the time Columbus first set foot in the New World, Europeans were fascinated with this new land. In this lesson, students learn about the Three Gs that drove them here- gold, God, and glory- and find out how these settlers gave...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Colonial Settlement: Interactive Timeline
In this interactive timeline see how other European nations, along with the British, colonized America and how events in Europe impacted colonization.
Other
Sos Children's Villages: Our Africa History
Our Africa is a project that allows the children of Africa to film their lives and their country the way they see them. This section explains the painful past of Africa and what is needed for a stable future. Included are videos about...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Rise and Fall of the Incan Empire
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...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Latin America
Article on Latin America that provides a great overview of the region. Discussions include history, religion, culture, links to information about each of the countries, and more.
Curated OER
Leni Lenape Indians, 1654
One modern historical assessment and several original accounts of the mistrust, negotiations, alliances, trading, and disease transmission between European colonizers and native peoples in North America.
Other
The Map as History: Europe's Colonial Expanision 1820 1939
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,...
Other
World Socialist Web Site: A Journey Through Africa's Civilizations
From the World Socialist Web Site, this is a review of Harvard professor Henry Gates' book, "Wonders of the African World." It includes interesting details of Gates' attempts to piece together a view of precolonial African history. (4...
PBS
Perceptions of African Identity: Swahili Coast
From the PBS series, a history of the Swahili coast of East Africa, including the island of Zanzibar.
Open Door Team
Open Door Web Site: White Man's Burden
Describes the results of colonization, focusing on the lack of economic profit and more on the civil/social motivations and results. Also contains Rudyard Kipling's commentary on colonization as expressed in his poem "White Man's Burden."
Digital History
Digital History: The Meaning of America
Although brief, this article points out the opposing views of the New World of America in European eyes during the exploration and early colonization period.
EL Education
El Education: A Buccaneer's Guide to the Age of Exploration
A Buccaneer's Guide to the Age of Exploration depicts European world-wide exploration and exploitation through a collage-style book of text, hand-drawn and water-colored illustrations, maps, timelines, and diagrams. The book chronicles...
The History Place
The History Place: Early Colonial Era
This site from The History Place provides a timeline of significant events between (1000-1700) win the discovery and colonization of the New World.
Open Door Team
Open Door Web Site: Britain and the Scramble for Africa
Briefly describes Britain's motivations for imperializing African regions. Includes the text of a speech given by Lord Cruzon entitled, "The True Imperialism."
Other
The British Empire
Although this is a personal site, the History Channel calls it "Very comprehensive." That is definitely true! Author provides extensive timelines, biographies, information on science and technology, discussions, and more! Be sure to...
Library of Congress
Loc: America as a Religious Refuge
One of the primary reasons for colonization of the New World was to escape European religious persecution. This site provides stories of religious nonconformists, militants, zealots, reformers, and the faithful.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Resources: Monroe Doctrine, 1823
A transcript of the Monroe Doctrine written by President James Monroe in 1823. This document established a foreign policy that any European nations attempting to colonize in North or South America would be seen as aggression and the...
Mariners' Museum and Park
Age of Exploration: The Great Exchange
A great description and explanation of the exchange that took place between the Old World and New World as a result of European exploration. Find examples of plants, animals, and diseases that were traded as a result of exploration and...
British Library
British Library: Teaching Resources: The Tempest: Slideshow Who Is Savage & Who Is Civilised?
These activities encourage students to explore the 'brave new world' of The Tempest in light of thought-provoking texts on early modern colonization. A link to a slideshow featuring images of Native Americans and Europeans which...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Pre Colonial Africa, 1858
Map of Africa in 1858, prior to the extensive European colonization of the continent established at the Berlin Conference of 1885. This map shows the European possessions of the Cape Colony, Natal, and Orange River Free State, and the...
Other
Bringing History Home: Communities Long Ago
This Grade 1 unit explores U.S. communities in a historical context. By exploring their own community's buildings and services of both long ago and today, children in non-Native American communities are introduced to concepts of change,...
Library of Congress
Loc: Map Collections 1500 2002
This collection provides maps dating back to 1500 up to the present. The collection includes: cities, towns, discovery and exploration, conservation and environment, military battles, cultural landscapes, transportation, communication,...
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners' Museum: Captive Passage: The Transatlantic Slave Trade
Online exhibition from the Mariners' Museum chronicles the plight of African slaves from the beginning of their journey when they are torn from their homeland all the way to the shores of the Americas. Caught up in the lucrative...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Portugal & Spain: Quest for Monopoly in the East
Essay on Spain and Portugal quest for control of trade, exploration and colonization, and their eventual displacement by Northern Europeans.