Junior Cycle History EU/WORLD : Impact of Colonisation: 5. THE VOYAGES OF EXPLORATION

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Question

5. THE VOYAGES OF EXPLORATION

SOURCE D

Extracts from Columbus's diary, 1492.

Sunday, September 30, 1492 – Four tropic birds came to the ship, which is a very clear sign of land, for so many birds … show that they are not straying about, having lost themselves.

Wednesday, October 10 – The crew lost all patience, and complained of the length of the voyage, but the Admiral encouraged them in the best manner he could, explaining the profits they were about to acquire.

Friday, October 12 – At two o’clock in the morning the land was discovered ... Arrived on shore, they saw trees very green, many streams of water, and divers sorts of fruits. The Admiral called upon the two Captains ... to bear witness that he, before all others, took possession of that island for the King and Queen ... The people of the island gathered together ... I presented them with some glass beads and strings of beads to wear upon the neck, and many other trifles of small value. They were much delighted ... they seemed on the whole, to be a very poor people. Weapons they have none, nor are they familiar with them; for I showed them swords which they grasped by the blades and cut themselves. They have no iron, their javelins being without it, and nothing more than sticks.

SOURCE E

Bartolomé de las Casas, A Brief Account of the Devastation of the Indies

Of all the people of the world, the Indians are naturally the most patient and peaceful. They hold no grudges and do not start fights... They are ready and willing to learn, so it is very likely they will accept our Catholic religion and our vicious customs.

Yet into these sheep came some Spaniards who immediately behaved like wild wolves. The Spaniards killed and terrorised the native peoples in order to gain more gold and to make themselves richer. With their horses and metal weapons, the Spaniards began to carry out massacres and strange cruelties against Indians. For example, they made a sport of cutting a man in half or could cut off his head or spill out his entrails with a single swing of a sword or pike. They took infants by the legs and pitched them headfirst against rocks or by the arms and threw them into the river, roaring with laughter the whole time.

The island of Cuba is nearly as long as the distance between Valladolid and Rome; it is now almost completely depopulated. San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Jamaica are two of the largest, most productive and attractive islands; both are now deserted and devastated.

A.

Source D

(i) In Source D, what clues did the crew notice that indicate land was near? (2)

(ii) Why did the crew continue with the voyage after complaining about its length? (2)

(iii) Give one piece of evidence from Source D to show that Columbus believed the native Americans knew very little about weapons. (2)

(iv) Name the brothers who captained the two other ships. (2)

B.

Source E

(i) How does de las Casas describe the native Americans? Give two examples. (2)

(ii) De las Casas was a Spanish priest. What evidence supports this statement? (2)

(iii) Why does he use the phrase “wild wolves” to describe the Spanish? (2)

(iv) Apart from atrocities committed by the Spanish, give one other reason why the population of the West Indies declined so dramatically. (2)

(v) Is Source E biased? Support your answer with evidence from the source. (2)

C.

Write an account of one of the following:

(i) The contribution of Portugal to the Age of Exploration.

(ii) The conquest of Mexico.

(iii) The conquest of Peru.

5. THE VOYAGES OF EXPLORATION SOURCE D Extracts from Columbus's diary, 1492 - Junior Cycle History - Question 5 - 2019

Worked Solution & Example Answer:5. THE VOYAGES OF EXPLORATION SOURCE D Extracts from Columbus's diary, 1492 - Junior Cycle History - Question 5 - 2019

Source D (i) In Source D, what clues did the crew notice that indicate land was near?

Source D (ii) Why did the crew continue with the voyage after complaining about its length?

Source D (iii) Give one piece of evidence from Source D to show that Columbus believed the Native Americans knew very little about weapons.

Source D (iv) Name the brothers who captained the two other ships.

Source E (i) How does de las Casas describe the native Americans? Give two examples.

Source E (ii) De las Casas was a Spanish priest. What evidence supports this statement?

Source E (iii) Why does he use the phrase “wild wolves” to describe the Spanish?

Source E (iv) Apart from atrocities committed by the Spanish, give one other reason why the population of the West Indies declined so dramatically.

Source E (v) Is Source E biased? Support your answer with evidence from the source.

C. Write an account of one of the following: The conquest of Peru.

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