University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Native American Cultures
The America that greeted the first Europeans was, thus, far from an empty wilderness. It is now thought that as many people lived in the Western Hemisphere as in Western Europe at that time -- about 40 million. Estimates of the number of...
Other
Bringing History Home: Native American History
This 5th grade unit is an introduction to Native American history in the 19th and 20th centuries. The lessons focus on U.S. government policies that have determined the official relationship between the government and Native American...
Other
American Journeys: French and English Approaches to Exploration [Pdf]
A lengthy lesson plan that examines French and English approaches to exploration and colonization in reference to religious factors. Using primary sources from French missionary Gabriel Sagard and Wiliam Bradford, first governor of...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Native American Society on the Eve of British Colonization
This is a brief overview of the Native American cultures, languages, and diversity amont the many tribes that lived in North America prior to European contact.
Other
Bringing History Home: Communities Long Ago
This Grade 1 unit explores U.S. communities in a historical context. By exploring their own community's buildings and services of both long ago and today, children in non-Native American communities are introduced to concepts of change,...
Other
The Fur Trade: Its Impact on Native America
Information on the fur trade and its impact on Native Americans. The demands of the Europeans for fur increased competition among the Native American groups. It changed the character of warfare among Native American populations and...
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Social Studies: Grade 5: Early Colonization of North America
This sample task contains a set of primary and authentic sources about the early colonization of North America.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Mapping Initial Encounters
Columbus' arrival laid the basis for encounters between Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans. This unit examines how these contacts altered the way of life of peoples around the globe.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Unanticipated Changes Lead to War
Essay on the devastating changes the indigenous peoples of North America faced as Europeans encroached upon and colonized their land.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Debate Over the Morality Question
Essay discussion about the 15th Century debate that went on among Europeans during the time of conquest concerning the morality of conquering the indigenous American people.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Native American Relations in Texas: Stephen Austin to Head of Civil Affairs
See a letter by Stephen F. Austin in which Austin reports on a group of Comanches and Tawakonis attacked a settlement. Includes images of the original letter and a summary of the document's contents.
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Mapping the New World
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson allows students study two 17th-century maps of Virginia and think...
Other
Historica: Champlain in Acadia
Features Champlain's contributions to the Acadian Civilization. Identifies the mixing of the cultures of Native Americans and the French.
British Library
British Library: Teaching Resources: The Tempest: Slideshow Who Is Savage & Who Is Civilised?
These activities encourage students to explore the 'brave new world' of The Tempest in light of thought-provoking texts on early modern colonization. A link to a slideshow featuring images of Native Americans and Europeans which...
Other
The Weekly South Dakotan: South Dakota History for 4th Grade
From the very beginning and through the twentieth century, this comprehensive collection of lessons will enrich students studying the history in between and the effects on South Dakota.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Middle Colonies: Quakers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
A good look at the philosophy of the Quakers who colonized William Penn's religious refuge in the colony of Pennsylvania. Read about Penn's liberal views about government, religious freedom, and relations with Native Americans.
Curated OER
Leni Lenape Indians, 1654
One modern historical assessment and several original accounts of the mistrust, negotiations, alliances, trading, and disease transmission between European colonizers and native peoples in North America.