Mr Fulbright World History

European Exploration and Expansion

Central Historical Question:
Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
cannot be proven that it was their only motivation?
Patent given to John Cabot by Englands King Henry VII 1492

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Be it known that the King of England we give and grant, to John Cabot, full
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and free authority and power to sail to all parts, regions and coasts of the
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eastern,
western and northern sea, under our flags.
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We grant to him the right to find, discover and investigate whatsoever islands, countries, regions
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or provinces of heathens and infidels, in whatsoever part of the world placed, which before this
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time
were unknown to all Christians. John and his sons or their heirs and deputies may conquer,
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occupy
and possess whatsoever such towns, castles, cities and islands discovered by them, but,
they
must pay to us, either in goods or money, the fifth part of the whole capital gained.
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1. King Henry VII gave John Cabot the right to sail under the English Flag, conquer and take over
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any
unknown lands in exchange for:
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a.
Cabot had to name land after King Henry VII
b. Cabot had to give him 1/5th of the profits
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Cabot had to teach Henrys son to sail
d. Cabot had to attack Italy
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2. (Standard 3) What beliefs about heathens and infidels might Henry VII have had and how
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might
those beliefs have impacted the Patent Henry gave John Cabot?
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John Cabot was an Italian exploror whose trips were first funded by King Henry VII of England.
King Henry gave him ships and crews to help his voyage in addition to giving him permission to
go on the voyage and claim land in the name of England.

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3.
Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
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cannot be proven that it was their only motivation?
No ------------------------- Yes
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Why?
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Mr Fulbright World History

Central Historical Question:

Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
cannot be proven that it was their only motivation?
Letter of Christopher Columbus to Luis de Saint Angel 1493

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Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who was sponsored by King Ferdinand and
Queen Isabella of Spain to go on a voyage. Columbus had proposed to chart a new trade
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route to the Indies, but ended up landing in the Americas. He ended up making four
voyages to the Americas.
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These lands had been imagined and talked of before they were seen;
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most men thought they were just an idle tale.
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Because of this voyage their Highnesses will see how I can give them as much gold, spices,
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cotton, and as many Indian slaves as they choose to send for, if they will give me a little assistance.
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The eternal and almighty God, our Lord, gives to all who walk in His way, victory over things
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apparently impossible. Our God has given victory to our most illustrious King and Queen, and to
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their kingdoms rendered famous by this glorious event.
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1. What things does Columbus say he can give the King & Queen if they assist him? (all that apply)
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a. Fame for their kingdom
b. gold
c. Indian slaves
d. spices
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2. (Standard 1) What might be the consequences for Spain and the rest of the world if the King
and Queen of Spain chose to give Columbus a little assistance?
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3. Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
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cannot be proven that it was their only motivation?
No ------------------------- Yes
Why?
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Mr Fulbright World History

Central Historical Question:

Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
cannot be proven that it was their only motivation?
Theodor de Bry, 1594. Columbus landing on Hispaniola, 1492; greeted by Arawak Indians.

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1. Images within this engraving include: (Circle all that apply)
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Europeans attacking Native Americans
b. Europeans raising a Cross
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Europeans trading with the Native Americans d. European ships flying Spanish Flags
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(Standard 3) Theodor de Bry made this engraving ______ years after Columbus trip to the

Theodor de Bry was a European artist who is known for his engravings. He made many engravings, but most were
focused on exploration. Most of the engravings were based on the stories told by explorers. De Bry never traveled to
America.

Americas. How could European perceptions of Exploration have had an impact on de Brys work?

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3. Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
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cannot
be proven that it was their only motivation?
No ------------------------- Yes
Why?
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__________

Mr Fulbright World History

Central Historical Question:

Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
cannot be proven that it was their only motivation?
Aztec
Account of the Conquest of Mexico
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Hernn Corts was a Spaniard who made his way to the Americas and while there eventually
became a Conquistador and led an expedition into the mainland of the Americas. His force
allied with some other natives and eventually conquered the Aztec Empire.

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At the request of the Aztec Prince Ixtlilxochitl, Corts and his men ate the
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gifts
of food that had been brought to them. They walked into the city, and all the people came to
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cheer and welcome them. They knelt down and adored them as sons of the Sun, their gods.
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Corts was very grateful; he wished to repay their kindness by teaching them the law of God.
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told them the emperor of the Christians had sent him here to teach them in the law of Christ.
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explained them the mysteries of Christianity. He concluded the lesson by telling them how
they were not in Gods grace, and they were here only to save their souls.
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Source: Miguel Leon-Portilla, ed. The Broken Spears: Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico.
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1.__________________________________________________________
The Aztecs response to meeting Columbus was:
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hostile
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celebratory
c. violent
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d. none of the above
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2.__________
(Standard 3) In what ways might Corts beliefs
and ideas about the Aztecs have had an impact on his treatment of the Aztecs? (give examples)

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3. Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
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cannot
be proven that it was their only motivation?
No ------------------------- Yes
Why?
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__________

Mr Fulbright World History

Central Historical Question:

Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
cannot be proven that it was their only motivation?
Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh The English Voyages of the Sixteenth Century 1904

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Men have traveled, as they have lived, for religion, for wealth, for knowledge,
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for pleasure, for power and the overthrow of rivals. Yet as others have said, there is a single thread
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of interest running through all these pilgrimages. The discovery of the new Western World
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followed, as an incidental consequence, from the long struggle of the nations of Europe for
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commercial
supremacy and control of the traffic with the East. In all these dreams of the
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politicians
and merchants, sailors and geographers, who pushed back the limits of the unknown
world,
there is the same glitter of gold and precious stones, the same odor of far-fetched spices.
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1. According to Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh the main reason the New World was discovered was
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because of explorers seeking to gain riches, not spread religion. True or False
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2. __________________________________________________________
(Standard 5) How did exploration, and its motives, create a dynamic and ever changing world?
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Note that this is Sir Raleigh the Professor, not the explorer. Sir Raleigh was an English writer,
scholar and author who wrote about a number of topics including the Age Exploration as well as
World War One.

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3. Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated by riches if it
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cannot
be proven that it was their only motivation?
No ------------------------- Yes
Why?
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Mr Fulbright World History

Central Historical Question:

Is it fair for modern historians to criticize early explorers as men only motivated
by riches if it cannot be proven that it was their only motivation?
Thesis:
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