How Do We Study History?

Primary vs. Secondary Sources ActivityD i rect i ons : Below you will find several historical sources of information describing the first voyage of Christopher Columbus to the Americas in 1492. As a group, discuss and answer the questions that go with each of these sources.

S ourc e #1 : D escr i pt i o n Below is an engraving called the Landing of Christopher Columbus. The engraving was made by an artist name H. B. Hall in 1856. It was created to show the landing of Christopher Columbus on the island of San Salvador in 1492.

S ourc e #1 : Q uest i on s :

1. Is this engraving of Columbus’ landing on San Salvador a “Primary” or “Secondary” source? Explain your answer in at least 2 sentences.

2. Make a list of some of the things you see in the image.

3. Discuss and explain, what does the image tell us about Columbus’ landing on the island of San Salvador?

S ourc e #2 : D escr i pt i o n Below is an excerpt, or small part, of a letter written by Christopher Columbus to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain after his first voyage to America.

I have determined to write you this letter to inform you of everything that has been done and discovered in this voyage of mine.On the thirty-third day after leaving Cadiz I came into the Indian Sea, where I discovered many islands inhabited by numerous people. I took possession of all of them for our most fortunate King by making public proclamation and unfurling his standard, no one making any resistance.. . . .

the island, which I have said before was called Hispana, there are very lofty and beautiful mountains, great farms, groves and fields, most fertile both for cultivation and for pasturage, and well adapted for constructing buildings. The convenience of the harbors in this island, and the excellence of the rivers, in volume and salubrity, surpass human belief, unless on should see them. . . . .

I gave them many beautiful and pleasing things, which I had brought with me, for no return whatever, in order to win their affection, and that they might become Christians and inclined to love our King and Queen and Princes and all the people of Spain; and that they might be eager to search for and gather and give to us what they abound in and we greatly need.

S ourc e #2 : Q uest i ons :

1. Is this letter from Columbus to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain after Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas a “Primary” or “Secondary” source? Explain your answer in at least 2 sentences.

2. Read the letter with your group. In which Ocean did Columbus believe he was sailing?

3. Read the letter with your group. Based on the letter, describe the island of Hispaniola.

4. How can this letter be used by historians to learn more about Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas?

S ourc e #3 : D escr i pt i o n Below is an archeological site in the Dominican Republic on the Island of Hispaniola. A graveyard in near the site of a settlement Columbus built called “La Isabela.” Archeologists have discovered the teeth of 20 individuals excavated from the cemetery of the short-lived settlement are being analyzed for evidence of childhood diet; three have been shown to have ‘Old World’ diets, suggesting they were original crew members, and one has the isotopic profile for a millet-

based diet, suggesting African origins.S ourc e #3 : Q uest i ons :

1. Is the evidence found at the “La Isabela” site an example of “Primary” or “Secondary” sources? Explain your answer in at least 2 sentences.

2. What had to happen in order for this source to have been discovered?

3. With scientific examination, what can the teeth of an individual tell us about their past?

4. What does this source tell us about the people who died at the “La Isabela” site?

S ourc e #4 : D escr i pt i o n Below is information from a website about Christopher Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas.

Biography:

Christopher Columbus is the explorer who is credited for discovering America. Of course, there were already people living in America at the time who we call N a ti v e Am er i cans . There even was a European, Leif Ericsson, who had been to the America's before. However, it was Columbus' voyage that started the exploration and colonization of the Americas.

Before the Voyage

Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. He later lived in Lisbon where he worked as a trader. He learned how to make maps and navigate a ship.

A Shortcut to China

Columbus and his brother, Bartholomew, knew that there were great riches to be had in China and East Asia. However, traveling overland by the S ilk R oa d was dangerous and a sea route around Africa seemed much too long. Columbus thought he could sail straight to China by crossing the Atlantic Ocean. It would turn out that Columbus was wrong. The Earth was much larger than he thought and there was another land, the Americas, between Europe and Asia.

Three Ships and a Long Voyage

Columbus spent years trying to convince someone to pay for his voyage. He first tried to get King John II of Portugal to pay for his journey, but the King was not interested. Finally, he was able to convince Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spa in to pay for the trip. He set sail on August 12, 1492 with three ships named the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. The voyage was long and difficult. At one point his men threatened to mutiny and wanted to turn back. Columbus promised them he would turn back in two days if they didn't find land. In his journal, however, he wrote that he had no intention of turning back.

Finding Land

On October 12, 1492 land was spotted. It was a small island in the Bahamas that Columbus would name San Salvador. He met natives there that he called Indians because he was convinced that he had landed on islands off the coast of East Asia. He also visited other islands in the Caribbean such as Cuba and Hispaniola.

S ourc e #4 : Q uest i ons :

1. Is the information found on the website an example of “Primary” or “Secondary” sources?Explain your answer in at least 2 sentences.

2. Read the information with your group. List 5 facts about Christopher Columbus.

3. How could a source of information like this help students learn about history?