Contact history: Colonisation web quest

From the sixteenth to the nineteenth century many explorers set out from Europe. They were looking for new worlds, new wealth, power and glory. These explorers were backed by governments, monarchs and churches, each of whom had an interest in profiting from the new worlds yet to be colonised.

When a land was colonised by the Europeans, they set up settlements and colonies, but the lands were governed by the European powers who had 'discovered' the land. The settlers came with the idea that Europeans were better than indigenous people. They brought guns and ammunition, European ideas and ways of doing things. Livestock from Europe was introduced as were crops. The colonists divided the land for their exclusive use in many cases. Indigenous populations were often isolated to reserves or missions where the Europeans attempted to replace their culture and way of living with European ideas.

The indigenous peoples didn't really have a say in colonisation. There are, however, many instances where disputes between the dispossessed indigenous groups and colonists erupted into violence. The population of many indigenous groups around the world were severely reduced through violence. Massacres and illness from European disease such as smallpox killed many thousands.

PART 1

Your task is that of an historian. You need to find out the following pieces of information for each picture.

1. Identify the image in the picture - who or what is it?
2. Explain why this item is significant in the history of Native Americans. What can we learn about Native American             history from this picture?

 Once you have done that it will be possible for you to undertake the final challenge.

PART 2

To complete this part you will need to use the information you have gathered for part 1, as well as additional information from the sites listed in the resources section. Your task is to unravel the story that ties each picture to the others. Then in your answer booklet write two historical accounts of this event. The first is to be from the point of view of the Native Americans involved. The second is to be from the point of view of a newspaper reporter at the time.

To complete the first part of the task, click on the label below the picture to see where you can find out information to answer the questions above. Write you answers in the section provided in the answer booklet.

Buffalo image                    General Custer                      Sioux Chief Tatanka-Iyotanka                 Gold  

Now that you have finished part 1 of the task you will need to sit back and think about what you have found out. What are some key words or terms you have come up with? What Native American tribes have you come across? What events did you find out about?

Using this information search the list of sites in Resources  to see what story links each item.

Write you two historical accounts in the section provided in your answer booklet.

Once you have finished both sections of the task your booklet needs to be submitted. Make sure you have your name on it and that the task is completed to the best of your ability.

When your answer booklet is marked I will be looking at the following areas:

The effect of colonisation on Native American tribes...

When you finish the task if there is time remaining this is a task to challenge you. It is your turn to search. Select a web site that isn't covered here, but is somehow linked to this topic. Examine the web site. Write a review of the site based on how useful it would be in your study of this topic or your work on this task. Make sure you include the address of the web site in your review!