Examine evidence about how the arrival of Columbus’s expedition in the Americas affected native populations.
[American Indians] have no arms, and are without warlike instincts; they all go naked, and are so timid that a thousand would not stand before three of our men. So that they are good to be ordered about, to work and sow, and do all that may be necessary, and to build towns, and they should be taught to go about clothed and to adopt our customs.
–Christopher Columbus,
December 16, 1492
The information illustrated in the graph led to
Spain’s decision to abandon its colonies.
the importation of millions of enslaved Africans to the Americas.
the start of competition among European nations to found American colonies.
the discovery of a route across Panama to the Pacific Ocean.