Chapter 1 Reading Response Questions

SPARTANS,

The following are questions for the Chapter 1 reading from The Americans. Please remember in answering the questions to follow the directions from the Summer Learning Packet (complete sentences, re-stating the question in the answer, etc.). Please also make sure to include the assignment title in the subject heading of your e-mail to me. In this case it would be "Chapter 1 Reading Responses". The assignment must be e-mailed to me (spartan.hoa@gmail.com) by 11:59pm on June 24, 2008.

1) According to the text, what was the estimated indigenous population of the Pre-Columbian New World?

2) To what extent did Christian Crusaders motivate exploration in the 15th century?

3) Which events seemingly compelled Spain to start its exploration, and propel its explorers in a westerly direction?

4) Describe the "Columbian Exchange" and its impact on the New and Old Worlds.

5) Which event does the text describe as a "demographic catastrophe without parallel in human history"? How did this catastrophe come about?

6) Explain the impact of New World mining on the European economy.

7) Analyse Fray Bartolome de las Casas's objections to the encomienda system.

8) Identify the motivations of the conquistadores described in Chapter 1.

9) Briefly describe the "conquest" of Aztecs and the impact this event had on what would become known as Mexico.

10) Evaluate the truth or fiction of "la Leyenda Negra", the "Black Legend". Justify your answer.