History Question

Overview

Module One Response/Reflection Assignment - Life Prior to 1492, & Colliding Cultures: European Colonization in the Americas

Directions: Using only the materials found only in this week's module (Week One), please thoughtfully reflect to following prompt with a minimum 800 word short response essay (you may go over this word count without penalty, but do not go under the word count). Be sure to use specific examples from both the lecture and the required readings whenever possible. Simple in text citations should be used whenever you are quoting directly or indirectly (Week One Module) or (We Shall Remain: After the Mayflower) or (Author's Last Name or Title of Chapter/Article, page number if possible). Remember this is your opportunity to express how you have understood/viewed the materials - readings, lectures, videos/documentaries - presented throughout within the module.

All work submitted must be your own. Your response/reflections serve as an opportunity for your to share your thoughts, feelings, and/or ideas about the topic at hand. Though these assignments are short, they should still be treated as a formal written assignment, so please be mindful of spelling, grammar, punctuation. Points are awarded based on your ability to fully address the questions at hand. Unless otherwise noted, all assignments/discussions should be completed in a standard 12-point font, single or double space, with standard margins. Your response/reflection should be written in an essay format. All questions must be fully addressed.

Response/Reflection Prompt for Module One:

The materials in this module have offered you insight into the lives of both Native peoples and Europeans prior to 1492 and touched upon early conquest, especially in modern day Mexico and has explored how various European nations actively engaged in colonizing North America. Based on your understanding/interpretation of the materials presented in this module:

• What have you learned about the experiences of life in the Americas and early Europe? What stuck out to you as you read about the lives of early Native peoples in the Americas?
• What were some of the motivating factors that led European countries to explore the New World? And how did this exploration eventually result in the exploitation of the Native peoples?
• How were the Native peoples impacted by the arrival of the Spanish? In what ways did Spanish and French policies of colonial development and settlement differ?
• What are three key points that you noted from these modules that were new or helped you to further understand the significance of life in early colonial history?