It is important to confront the history of Columbus and the devastating impact his conquests had on the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean. With this in mind, introduce students to both the positive effects of the Columbian exchange as well as the negative. Teachers can use primary source accounts (such as the writings of Bartolome de Las Casas, a Spanish priest on Columbus’ journeys, and Columbus’ own diary). History should be studied from different perspectives to produce an accurate account of events that occurred and their impact today. This will help students develop important critical thinking skills.
In this activity, students will create a poster that describes the life and accomplishments of Christopher Columbus and includes the impact he had on the Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. They should be encouraged to focus more on the latter half of his life and his interactions in the Caribbean rather than his early life.
You can find more poster templates to add to the assignment so students can have a variety to choose from, or they can start from scratch with the poster layout.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research the life ofColumbus and his impact on the Caribbean people. Create a poster to show what you've learned.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Include name, birth and death dates, impact on society, and any other information you think is important.
Set clear guidelines for respectful listening and encourage students to share different perspectives when discussing Columbus’s impact. Help students understand that history can be complex, and everyone’s voice matters.
Use questions like “How do you think Indigenous Peoples felt about Columbus’s arrival?” to invite critical thinking and deeper conversation.
Share short excerpts from Columbus’s diary or Bartolome de Las Casas’s writings to help students analyze firsthand accounts and form their own opinions.
Ask students to reflect on how the events of Columbus’s time still affect the Caribbean and Indigenous communities now. This builds empathy and understanding.
Remind students that learning from multiple viewpoints makes history richer and more accurate. Encourage them to apply this approach in other topics.
Columbus's arrival in the Caribbean led to major changes for Indigenous peoples, including loss of land, forced labor, disease, and cultural disruption. His voyages began a wave of European colonization that devastated native populations and societies.
Present the Columbian Exchange as a mix of positive and negative outcomes. Highlight new crops and animals introduced between continents, but also discuss the spread of diseases and the harsh impact on Indigenous cultures. Use primary sources for balanced perspectives.
Great primary sources include Bartolomé de Las Casas's writings about the treatment of Indigenous peoples and Columbus's own diary from his voyages. These provide firsthand accounts for classroom discussion.
Encourage students to research Columbus's life and focus on his voyages to the Caribbean and their consequences. Have them use poster templates, include key facts like dates and achievements, and emphasize the effects on Indigenous peoples.
Studying Columbus from multiple viewpoints helps students develop critical thinking skills and understand the complexity of history. It ensures a more accurate account and fosters empathy for those affected by historical events.