Exploros | Central America and the Caribbean: History and Its Influence

Central America and the Caribbean: History and Its Influence

Students learn about the role of the Spanish in the colonization of Central America and the Caribbean. They read about the history of Central America. Then they examine the history of the Caribbean and compare it to the history of Central America. Finally, they develop an idea for the observation of the International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students learn about the role of the Spanish in the colonization of Central America and the Caribbean. They read about the history of Central America. Then they examine the history of the Caribbean and compare it to the history of Central America. Finally, they develop an idea for the observation of the International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition.

Objectives:

Describe the early civilizations of Central America and the Caribbean.
Explain the impact of Spanish colonization and the slave trade on the region.
Compare and contrast Central American and the Caribbean.

Have you heard of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean? Perhaps you’ve even seen it or one of its sequels. These movies are set in the eighteenth century in the Caribbean islands. They depict a real aspect of the history of the region—pirates stealing gold! In this experience you will find out about the history of the Caribbean and Central America.

Objectives:

Describe the early civilizations of Central America and the Caribbean.
Explain the impact of Spanish colonization and the slave trade on the region.
Compare and contrast Central American and the Caribbean.

Capitanes Generales Palace in Antigua Guatemal, Guatemla

Take a look at this map of Central America and the Caribbean.

European Colonization of the Americas in 1750

What do you notice about Central America and the Caribbean from the map?

Discuss student responses. Answers will vary, but students should note that the region is primarily colonized by the Spanish.

Based on the information in the map as well as what you know about European colonization in South America, Asia, and Africa, what can you guess about the history of this region?

Post your answer

Discuss your responses as a class to see what you come up with. Then, as you move through this experience, see if your guesses were correct.

Answers will vary, but might include: native people were used as slaves, native people were oppressed and forced to work for the wealth of the Europeans, eventually the native people were able to get their independence, the language of the region is now the language of the colonizing country, etc.

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