Thursday, November 7, 2013

What's in a Name?

The Age of Discovery or The Age of Exploitation?

Due Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Many historians feel that the years from 1492 to 1700 traditionally called the Age of Exploration and Discovery should be renamed the Age of Exploitation and Imperialism. In this blog, you will join the argument that scholars have been debating over the past three or more decades and present your opinion on this issue.

Some historians maintain that it was the “desire” to venture forth across the Atlantic Ocean and ascertain what laid beyond the horizon that brought about the Age of European dominance. Meanwhile, other historians maintain that is was the blatant manipulation and extension of European control in the new lands that allowed Europeans to gain world-wide dominance.


In your initial post, you are required to present evidence which demonstrates whether the era should be called the Age of Exploration & Discovery or Exploitation & Imperialism. No you can not claim it is both! You must make a choice on one or the other!


Do not repeat or use an event or person that has already been used by another student unless you are making a contrary argument!

Columbus Letter to the King and Queen of Spain 1494

 Lecture 2: The Age of Discovery

The Age of Exploration: 1492-1650

First European Exploration and Exploitation

Columbus, The Indians and Human Progress

Two Documents from the Reign of Philip II

A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies (1542)


Please feel free to use other sources but remember that Wiki’s are never an acceptable source!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Napoleon: Patriot, Revolutionary or Dictator

 Due Monday, March 3, 2014


Napoleon Bonaparte was many things to many people during his lifetime. To many Frenchman then and now he was a true patriot to the cause of French nationalism. Still others considered him an heir to the revolutionary spirit and zeal of the French Revolution. Finally there are those (particularly his enemies!) who consider him nothing more than a petty tyrant who left a path of destruction and death across the landscape of France and Europe.

So what was Napoleon; patriot, revolutionary or dictator? For this blog, each student must make an historically based judgement of Napoleon Bonaparte and his legacy upon France and Europe. You must post a choice for one of the three (patriot, revolutionary or dictator) and then defend your selection. Remember no defense is ever complete without the use of supporting facts! The following links may help you in your quest in answering one of the questions that historians to this day still debate!

Napoleon as Military Commander
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/napoleon/c_genius.html

Napoleon Bonaparte: French revolutionary or military dictator?
http://www.helium.com/items/311645-napoleon-bonaparte-french-revolutionary-or-military-dictator

Napoleon and the French Revolution
http://www.napoleonbonaparte.nl/html/body_nap_and_revolution.html

Napoleon as Spin-Doctor and Mythmaker
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/napoleon/c_spindoctor.html

The Legend of Napoleon
http://www.napoleon-series.org/reviews/general/c_hazareesingh.html

The Revolution, Napoleon and Education
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/society/c_education.html

The Civil Code
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/c_code.html

The Concordat of 1801: Napoleon Bonaparte Makes a Deal With Pope Pius VII
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/c_code.html

Documents of the Continental System
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/diplomatic/c_continental.html

Treasures of Napoleon
http://www.napoleonexhibit.com/