About Unit 2

💭 Essential Question: How did European conquest of the Americas have long-lasting impacts on Indigenous American societies?

Americas: Conquest & Colonization examines the transformative effects of European colonization on the Americas and the lasting consequences for Indigenous communities. Students will explore the diverse and complex societies that existed in the Americas before European contact and analyze how European exploration and colonization reshaped the social, economic, and cultural landscapes of the continent. The unit will highlight the motivations behind European expansion, the key figures involved, and the processes of colonization that led to the displacement and disruption of Indigenous ways of life. Students will critically assess the long-term impacts of these colonial actions, including the destruction of Indigenous populations, the imposition of European governance, and the cultural changes that followed. The unit culminates in an annotated source collection, where students will engage with a variety of primary and secondary sources to evaluate the historical significance of European colonization and its enduring effects on Indigenous societies across the Americas.