History of the AmericasHistory of the Americas

A PowerPoint presentationA PowerPoint presentation

By: Patrick SpohrBy: Patrick Spohr

For Theme 1For Theme 1

What Is History?What Is History?• History is the study of the

human past, and a method by which modern man can better understand himself and the world around him. As George Santayana said, “Those who can not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”

The Journey of ManThe Journey of Man

• Through the lens of history, modern society is able to better Through the lens of history, modern society is able to better understand the history of the continent we live on. Contrary to understand the history of the continent we live on. Contrary to generations of misinformation, pre-Colonial America was not a land generations of misinformation, pre-Colonial America was not a land devoid of civilization, but two thriving continents with centuries of devoid of civilization, but two thriving continents with centuries of history. With modern tools, we can better understand what led to history. With modern tools, we can better understand what led to were we are today, and possibly were we are headed.were we are today, and possibly were we are headed.

Catastrophe!Catastrophe!• Disease, death, and war Disease, death, and war

have always been a part have always been a part of the human of the human experience.experience.

• The effects of a The effects of a catastrophic event, no catastrophic event, no matter how remote, can matter how remote, can seep into other nations, seep into other nations, and effect global and effect global history.history.

Changing Interpretations of Changing Interpretations of America’s PastAmerica’s Past

• , ’ For generations the history of the America s has , ’ For generations the history of the America s has been filled with false accounts and sanitized to been filled with false accounts and sanitized to

glorify the victory of European settlers against the glorify the victory of European settlers against the . , “savage” natives In public schools especially a . , “savage” natives In public schools especially a

’ holistic understanding of America s history is not ’ holistic understanding of America s history is not.taught.taught

• , Modern historians through the use of new , Modern historians through the use of new , scientific methods have pulled back the veil and , scientific methods have pulled back the veil and

are trying to change the debate on what American are trying to change the debate on what American .history is .history is

The World and TradeThe World and Trade• World trade is more important than every in our modern World trade is more important than every in our modern

, . world bringing us goods from every corner of the globe, . world bringing us goods from every corner of the globe , , But besides goods trade has historically brought culture , , But besides goods trade has historically brought culture

, . disease and war along with it The desire for the spices, . disease and war along with it The desire for the spices , , and resources of India Africa and the Americas forever , , and resources of India Africa and the Americas forever

, altered the face of these lands and continue to change , altered the face of these lands and continue to change .burgeoning new economies today .burgeoning new economies today