This lesson is focused on the consequences of the Spanish colonisation of the Americas.
It helps to underline the significant benefits that the Spanish derived from their governance of such a large region after 1492.
The lesson is centred around a mapping activity. Students must first locate the key conquests of the Spanish on a map.
Then they use their maps to help them explain the specific advantages conferred by the geography of their empire.
A further classification task highlights the benefits that the Spanish enjoyed in terms of their exploitation of the natural resources and minerals. And their use of slave labour to mine and farm these resources.
The task also underlines the Spanish conquistadors’ clever colonisation of port cities and regions with strong natural defences.
This helped to promote trade and deter attacks from other European powers.
Finally, students are challenged to write speeches to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. They use their new knowledge to outline the benefits that Spain had already enjoyed from her colonisation programme.
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- Lesson presentation: PowerPoint
- Lesson write-up: PDF
- Worksheet 1 & 2: PDF
- Resource 1: PDF
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