Contextualization

Theoretical Introduction

The Spanish colonization in the Americas was a period of world history marked by the expansion of the Spanish empire in the American continent. It began in the late 15th century with the 'discovery' of America by Christopher Columbus and ended in the early 19th century with the wars of independence of most of the colonized territories.

The Spanish colonization was mainly motivated by the search for wealth and prestige for Spain, but also by the mission of spreading Christianity. It is important to emphasize that this colonization was not a peaceful process - it involved the conquest and subjugation of indigenous peoples, many of whom resisted the Spanish invasion.

The Spanish colonizers established cities following the European model, imposed a new political, social, and economic organization, as well as the Christian religion. In the economy, the main activity was the exploitation of precious metals, such as gold and silver, which were sent to Spain.

Contextualization

The Spanish colonization in America had a significant impact on world history, shaping the way the world is today. It resulted in an extensive cultural and genetic exchange known as the Great Colombian Exchange, which fundamentally altered the ecology and demography of the world.

Furthermore, the Spanish colonization in the Americas was fundamental for the rise of Europe as the center of world power, thus laying the foundations for the modern global economy. However, it is also a history of violence and subjugation, whose effects can still be seen in Latin American societies today.

To better understand this period of history, students can consult the following reliable resources:

• Documentary: 'Conquistadores: Adventum' available on Netflix.
• Text: 'The Conquest of America: The Question of the Other', by Tzvetan Todorov (Martins Fontes, 1988).
• Article: 'The Impact of the Spanish Conquest and Colonization on Indigenous Peoples in Latin America', available on the Scielo website (https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-59702007000300012)

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'Reviving the Spanish Colonization: A Virtual Journey'

Project Objective

This project aims to provide a deep understanding of the Spanish colonization in the Americas through an interactive and collaborative research project.

Students will work in groups of 3 to 5 people to create a virtual tour through an online tool of the Spanish colonization, addressing aspects such as culture, economy, politics, religion, and impact on indigenous populations.

Detailed Project Description

Students should investigate, synthesize, and present information on different aspects of the Spanish colonization. The final result will be a virtual tour that will allow users to explore the main points and events of the colonization period.

Students should divide the work according to the chosen focus areas, which could include aspects such as: conquistadors' routes, mineral exploration sites, affected indigenous populations, cultural interactions, religious impact, political and economic organization, influence on art and architecture, among others.

Required Materials

• Computer with internet access
• Online tool to create virtual tours (we suggest Google Tour Builder or ThingLink)

Step by Step

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students and organize tasks.

2. Define which aspects of the Spanish colonization you will address.

3. Conduct research on the chosen aspects. Use the indicated resources to start the study.

4. Gather relevant information and images for your virtual tour.

5. Use the online tool to create the virtual tour. Add texts, images, and links related to each point.

6. Review the produced material and make the necessary corrections.

7. Prepare an oral presentation to explain the virtual tour.

Project Deliverables

Each group must deliver:

1. The link to the virtual tour, containing a visual and textual presentation of each point addressed.

2. A written report divided into the following topics:

• Introduction: The student must contextualize the theme, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the objective of this project.

• Development: The student must explain the theory behind the central theme(s) of the project, detail the activity, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the results obtained.

• Conclusion: The student must conclude the work by summarizing its main points, explaining the learnings obtained, and drawing conclusions about the project.

• Bibliography: The student must indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

The virtual tour must be presented to the class, with students explaining each point and answering questions. The report must be delivered later, serving as a detailed record of the entire learning and research process carried out, as well as an individual and collective reflection on the knowledge acquired and the skills developed.