The People vs. Christopher Columbus

 

The People v. Christopher Columbus Mock Trial

Introduction

Christopher Columbus and the Spanish explorers who arrived first in the New World sought Gold and God. The European explorers unintentionally spread disease and intentionally perpetrated acts of violence against the Native populations that resulted in the enslavement and deaths of untold millions. You will explore some competing ideas on Columbus, his motives, and debate his legacy.

Process

  1. You will volunteer for (or be assigned) a role in our Mock Trial. See the roles below

  2. Download the COLUMBUS MOCK TRIAL TESTIMONY assignment here

  3. Click here to read the Columbus Mock Trial Testimony Evidence

Trial Roles:

INDICTMENT (Charges): Columbus and his men are charged with the mistreatment and murder of thousands, perhaps millions, of Taíno Indians.

Defense Team:

  • Defense Lawyers (2-3)

  • Christopher Columbus (Defendant)

  • Crewmen who stayed in Hispanola (1-2)

  • King Ferdinand of Spain

  • Queen Isabella of Spain

Prosecution Team:

  • Prosecution Lawyers (2-3)

  • Bartolome De Las Casas (Plaintiff)

  • Taino Indian of Hispanola (1-2)

Members of the Jury

Want to know more about how the trial works, or how to object? CLICK HERE!

Additional Evidence

  1. Click here for a summary of the trial, charges, and arguments that you can make

  2. Click here to read a section from Columbus’ diary

  3. Click here to download and read Bartolome de las Casas’ account of the devastation of Hispaniola (he traveled to the New World and witnessed many of the events described)

  4. Click here to read through some sources about Columbus’ journey, it’s outcomes, and it’s unintended consequences.

  5. Click here to download and read a chapter about Columbus from America: The Last Best Hope

  6. Click on this link to view the video about some of the effects of Columbus’ first expeditions

  7. Click here to read a summary of the Columbian Exchange, its meaning and importance

  8. Click here to read about how Columbus was arrested by the Spanish government for crimes committed in Hispaniola

  9. Click here to read about how Pope Alexander VI justified Columbus’ actions

Questions to Consider:

We will address these questions in our debate, but you do not need to write a response to these for homework. Be prepared to answer them in class.

  1. What were Columbus’ initial motives?

  2. What has been his legacy (how history remembers him) as a result of his exploration and “discovery” of the New World?

  3. According to Barolome de las Casas, what happened in the New World as a result of the European arrival? Describe examples.

  4. How does Bartolome de las Casas’ account shed new light on what happened after Columbus’ arrival in the New World?

  5. Does this collision of two worlds (between Europe and Native Americans) make it so that conflict between Europeans and Native Americans would be inevitable? Why or why not?

  6. What are the positive benefits to the “Columbian Exchange”?