by Laura Lowery, Bonita Vista Middle School
Students will research the European "Age of Exploration" from two perspectives,the Native American experience the European explorer experience. Students will then compare, contrast, and analyze these perspectives and cultures through a collaborative assignment. Students will create journal entries, letters, and cultural profiles of natives and explorers. Lastly, students will evaluate why the Age of Exploration can be considered an Age of Invasion depending on perspective.
Introduction
A spirit of adventure swept across Europe in the 1400's. Improvements in navigation tools, cartography (map making), and ship building allowed European sailors to go farther then they ever had before! Dreams of adventure in unknown lands was exciting and appealing for many explorers of the time!
This activity will give you a chance to imagine what it would have been like to be a young European explorer in the 15th century in search of riches and adventure.
But wait! What about the people who lived in the lands these explorers were visiting? How did the natives feel about these strange people arriving on their shores and claiming the land for themselves and their countries? And was it really a "New World"?
So was it the Age of Exploration or Invasion?
Consider these lyrics to the song Don't Drink the Water before you decide!
Come out, come out, no use in hiding.Come now, come now, can you not see
There's no place here, what were you expecting?
No room for both, just room for me.
So you will lay your arms down,
Yes, I will call this home.
Away, away, you have been banished.
Your land is gone, and given to me.
And here I will spread my wings.
Yes, I will call this home.
What's this you say, you feel a right to remain?
Then stay and I will bury you.
What's that you say, your father's spirit still lives in this place?
Well, I will silence you.
Here's the hitch, your horse is leaving.
Don't miss your boat, it's leaving now.
And as you go I will spread my wings.
Yes, I will call this home.
I have no time to justify to you,
Fool, you're blind, move aside for me.
All I can say to you my new neighbor,
You must move on or I will bury you.
Now as I rest my feet by this fire
Those hands once warmed here, but I have retired them.
I can breathe my own air and I can sleep more soundly
Upon these poor souls,
I'll build Heaven and call it home.
Cause you're all dead now.
I live with my justice
And I live with my greedy need
I live with no mercy
And I live with my frenzied feeding
I live with my hatred
And I live with my jealousy
I live with the notion that I don't need anyone but me
Don't Drink the Water
Don't Drink the Water
Blood in the water
Song by Dave Matthews Band