Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Introduction to the Spanish Viceroyalties in the Americas
When the Spanish Crown (the monarchy) learned of the promise of wealth offered by vast continents that had been previously unknown to Europeans, they sent forces to colonize the land, convert the indigenous populations, and extract...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Colonial Societies 1500 1700: Spanish Exploration & Colonial Society
Examines the establishment of Spanish settlements in America, the differences between them, and the conflicts the Spanish had with other European interests and with the native peoples.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teaching With Primary Sources: Hispanic Exploration in America [Pdf]
This is a great lesson plan from the Library of Congress that shows how to use primary sources in the examination of the Spanish Conquistadors in America. The lesson plan offers many possible activities for learners to use with the...
Library of Congress
Loc: Parallel Histories: Exploration and Early Settlement
Read about the Spanish conquistadors who explored what was to become Spanish America. Included are links to digital collections from the Library of Congress and the National Library of Spain.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Southern Colonies: Debtors in Georgia
Georgia, the last colony founded by England, was established for competing reasons. Read about James Oglethorpe's vision for a utopian colony, and find out about why that vision failed, but the colony survived.
Other
Spain's Empire in the Americas [Ppt]
A brief slideshow that presents key ideas about the Spanish Empire in the Americas. Students must then answer four questions in an assessment.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1491 1607: Spanish Conquistadores and Colonial Empire
The Spanish gained an early foothold in the colonies, quickly becoming the most powerful European power in the New World.
US National Archives
Our Documents: De Lome Letter (1898)
This site features an online facsimile of the letter written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States in which he criticized American President William McKinley. Its publication generated public support for a war with Spain over...
US National Archives
Nara: American Originals:exploring the Southwest: Don Diego De Vargas
This site from the National Archives and Records Administration, describes the colonization of the United States by the Spanish. Learn about Don Diego de Vargas, read his will, and view a photo of the area he colonized.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: United States History Map: Colonists
Use these interactive maps to see and read about the colonization of the New World by several European nations. When you are finished looking at the maps, test your skills with the European Colonies Challenge.
Library of Congress
Loc: Exploring the Early Americas: Competition for Empire
Part of a larger site, the primary sources here deal with the competition among the European countries in establishing a foothold in the New World.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Convento of San Nicolas De Tolentino, Actopan, Hidalgo
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...
University of Florida
Florida Museum of Natural History: First Colony: Our Spanish Origins
This resource is a lesson plan from the University of Florida Natural History Museum. It is a lesson on the impact that the immigrants of Jamestown, VA had on American culture and the melting pot they created in the early colonial days.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Spanish Missions in California
A collection that uses primary sources to explore the history of Spanish missions in California.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Britain in the New World
Read about the early English explorers and find out why other countries did much more early exploration than the British. The defeat of the Spanish Armada turned the tide. Discover why the English now could explore and plant colonies.
Other
History of the Russian Settlement at Ft. Ross,california
Details Russian expansion across Asia, over the Bering Strait to Alaska, and then down the coast to California. Their settlement, relations with the Spanish, life in Ft. Ross, and departure are chronicled here.
Texas A&M University
Sons of De Witt Colony Texas: The De Leon Colony: Empresario Don Martin De Leon
Read in-depth biography about Martin de Leon, a rancher and wealthy Mexican empresario descended from Spanish aristocracy. This account describes his importance to early Texas settlement.
Other
New Mexico Genealogical Society: Early Spanish Exploration of the Southwest
This site describes the early Spanish exploration and beginning of colonization in what we know today as New Mexico.
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: The Caribbean: First Contact
This site details the initial contact of the European colonizers with the Caribbean islands. The site explains how the Caribbean became colonized and also has maps, quotes, and artwork.
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Teaching History: The New World: A Stage for Cultural Interaction
During European colonization, how did the French, Spanish, and Dutch view the Native Americans and how did their interaction differ? What affect did their interaction have on colonization?
University of Notre Dame
Department of Special Collections: The Coins of Colonial and Early America
This site provides links to a variety of coins used in the colonies and in the confederation. Extremely detailed.
Curated OER
National Park Service: John White Colony
This site from the National Park Service details John White and the colony of Roanoke.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Jamestown
The first of the British colonies to take hold in North America was Jamestown. On the basis of a charter which King James I granted to the Virginia (or London) company, a group of about 100 men set out for the Chesapeake Bay in 1607....
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook
A rich Fordham University site of primary source material that include full-text, and multimedia sites. There are additional study and research guides such as Modern History in the Movies.