to dispossess someone is to take their land away

indigenous people are the original inhabitants of a specific area

conquest involves taking an area of land by force; 'La Conquista' is the name for the Spanish conquest of the Americas

if you have immunity to a disease you will not catch it

to convert someone is to change their beliefs

Impact of European settlement in the Americas

History

In this unit, pupils began to explore European imperialism, the relationships established with Native Americans and the impact of imperialism on indigenous societies. In 'Transatlantic Slavery: how were West African societies impacted?', students will deepen their analysis of these concepts by considering the conflict, cooperation and motives which underpinned the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

In 'Medieval West Africa: why was medieval Mali so successful?', pupils saw that successful and growing societies existed outside of Europe. In this unit, pupils will extend their knowledge of developed non-European societies and understand that European imperialism caused physical and cultural destruction for many indigenous societies in the Americas.

In this unit, pupils learn about the Americas before the arrival of Europeans before examining the impact of their early settlement and colonisation, with a particular focus on England's first successful American colonies.

European conquest of the Americas: why was its impact so devastating?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

What caused the most deaths of Native Americans as a result of Europeans arriving in the Americas?

Write the missing word: Millions of Native Americans died from European diseases because they lacked __________.

Why did Europeans argue that it was justified to dispossess Native Americans?

forced Native Americans to mine for silver there

How did Spain become wealthy from Potosi?

Smallpox spreads through Tenochtitlan and the rest of the Aztec Empire.

Spanish explorers and soldiers conquer the Aztec Empire.

Spain becomes the most powerful country in the Americas.

Sort the events into chronological order.

Some indigenous nations allied with the Spanish against the Aztecs.

The Maya mixed Christianity with their own pre-existing religious beliefs.

The Aztecs and other nations fought against Spanish attempts at conquest.

Over one million Native Americans died working in the silver mines at Potosí.

Identify the two examples of indigenous resistance to complete Spanish control.

Who did Spain sponsor to sail across the Atlantic?

Write the missing word: The Americas were also referred to as Europeans as the __________ World.

group of countries ruled by one ruler or one single group

Match the definitions with their correct defintions.

Which empire's growth motivated Europeans to search for direct sea routes to Asia?

Why can the Taino nation be described as indigenous to Hispaniola?

The Spanish built churches for the indigenous population.

The Spanish forced Tainos to work in mines.

The Spanish monarchs claimed to control the island.

Identify an example that shows Spanish settlement in Hispaniola was interested in gaining wealth.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Impact of European settlement in the Americas

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.