AP Success - AP US History: Columbus's Voyage to the Americas

Christopher Columbus wrote an extensive journal about this first journey to the Americas.
I have determined to write you this letter to inform you of everything that has been done and discovered in this voyage of mine. . . . 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 [flag, with] no one making any resistance. The island . . . is exceedingly fertile. It has numerous harbors on all sides . . . Through it flow many very broad and health-giving rivers. . . . All these islands are very beautiful . . . and full of the greatest variety of trees reaching to the stars. . . .
The inhabitants . . . are all, as I said before, unprovided with any sort of iron, and they are destitute of arms, which are entirely unknown to them, and for which they are not adapted; not on account of any bodily deformity, for they are well made, but because they are timid and full of terror. . . . But when they see that they are safe, and all fear is banished, they are very guileless and honest, and very [generous with] all they have. No one refuses the asked anything that he possesses; on the contrary they themselves invite us to ask for it. They manifest the greatest affection towards all of us, exchanging valuable things for trifles, content with the very least thing or nothing at all.
"Columbus reports on his first voyage." Gilder Lehrman, 1493.

Question 1

Short answer
Briefly describe one perspective about Native Americans described in the excerpt.

Question 2

Short answer
Briefly explain how one specific event or development in Europe that is not specifically mentioned in the passage led to developments described in the excerpt.

Question 3

Short answer
Briefly explain how one specific historical event or development between 1492 and 1607 resulted from developments described in the excerpt.

Teach with AI superpowers

Why teachers love Class Companion

Import assignments to get started in no time.

Create your own rubric to customize the AI feedback to your liking.

Overrule the AI feedback if a student disputes.

Other U.S. History Assignments

10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic11.1 Colonial Foundations11.2 CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS (1763 – 1824)11.2 Reliability - Declaration of Independence11.2 Reliability - Declaration of Independence11.3 Reliability - Monroe Doctrine1 - 4.6 (a) Market Revolution: Society and Culture1 - 4.6 (b) Market Revolution: Society and Culture1 - 4.8 (a) Jackson and Federal Power1 - 4.8 (b) Jackson and Federal Power1 - 4.8 (c) Jackson and Federal Power14th & 15th Amendments 1865-18771920s and 30s Short Answer Practice1920s: Cultural and Political Controversies1920s Cultural Developments1920s DBQ1920s SAQ1950s conformity19th c. African American Experience DBQ19th Century Immigration and Economic Growth in the United States19th Century Industrialists: Captains of Industry or Robber Barons2000 DBQ: Organized Labor's Success in Improving Workers' Position (1875-1900)2006 AP United States History Free-Response Questions20s, 30's WWII- Essay 12.2 - Puritan Settlement of Massachusetts Bay2.3 Comparing the British Colonial Regions2.3 European Colonization - Map SAQ2.3 Geography of British Colonial Regions2 - 4.6 (a) Market Revolution: Society and Culture2 - 4.6 (b) Market Revolution: Society and Culture2 - 4.6 (c) Market Revolution: Society and Culture2 - 4.8 (a) Jackson and Federal Power2 - 4.8 (b) Jackson and Federal Power2 - 4.8 (c) Jackson and Federal Power2.5 - British and French Interactions with Native Americans2.5 Gary Nash - Red, White, and Black Excerpt2nd Dilemma--Advice to President Adams: Response to Tribute Demands3.10- American Foreign Policy (1789-1800)3.2 The Seven Years' War - Territorial Changes3.6 - Historians on women and the American Revolution3.6 - Historians on women and the American Revolution3.6- Interpretations of the American Revolution3.7(a) Articles of Confederation3.7(b) Articles of Confederation3.7 Understanding the Articles of Confederation3.7 Understanding the Articles of Confederation - Option C3.8 Articles to Consitution3.8- Founding Fathers' Leadership and the Ratification of the Constitution3.8 - Historians on the U.S. Constitution