The “Discovery” of America

Christopher Columbus, Erik the Red, or someone

entirely different?

Objectives

• SWBAT:– Identify 3 major theories as to who first

“discovered” North America– Analyze primary source documents to defend

their claims– Write an Advertisement as to who truly

encountered North America first

Traditional View

• In fourteen-hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue….

• Gold, Spices, etc.• Mapquest Maybe?• Hispañola• Several return trips

Document # 1 & 2

• The Columbus Letter of March 14, 1493• What Frame of Reference is Columbus showing

here?• What biases could be in this document? How

would you identify a bias?• The Letter of Columbus on the Discovery of

America• Does the behavior in this document mesh with

the previous document?

The Vinland Sagas• The Saga of Erik the

Red• Oral Tradition• Later written down by

Christian Monks• “Vinland”, “Markland”,

and “Skraelings”• L’Anse aux Meadows,

Labrador, Canada• 1000 A.D.

Document #3 and Maps

• The Saga of Eirik the Red, one of the Vinland Sagas

• Is oral tradition less valid than written tradition?

• Are The Vinland Sagas a Primary or Secondary Source?

• Is L’Anse aux Meadows proof that vindicates the Saga?

The Welsh/Mandan

• British Legend of Prince Madoc of Wales

• Mandan Indians “white man’s Indian”

• Linguistic connection?

• 1170

Non-European Contact• Polynesians– Sweet Potatoes and

Chickens?• Chinese– Advanced knowledge of

navigation and seamanship

– Zheng He• Several Others– Most lack substantial

evidence

Activity: Brochure• On a piece of printer paper create a brochure

which answers the following:– Who were the first Non-Native Americans to

encounter North America?– What Evidence is there for your claim?– What problems exist that could be used to challenge

your claim?– Make sure your brochure has a :TITLE, 3 VISUALS,

NAMES, PERIOD• When you finish, turn your assignment into the

appropriate period box.

Student Voice

• Did using visuals (PowerPoint, document packets/maps) help you understand the concepts being presented?

• On a scale from 1-5 (1 being least, 5 being most) how well do you feel you met the lesson objectives?