Anne Perry

I used the Columbus Trial activity in my methods course with preservice elementary school teachers. It went great, and they loved it!

Despite being high school graduates, my students had never heard of the Tainos or thought of Empire-building as the main actor in history.

Related Resources

Teaching Activities (Free)

The People vs. Columbus, et al.

Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow with contributions from members of the Taíno Community. Rethinking Schools. 13 pages.
A trial role play asks students to determine who is responsible for the death of millions of Taínos on the island of Hispaniola in the late 15th century.

Films

Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America

Film. Directed by Eduardo López & Peter Getzels. 2012. 90 minutes.
Documentary that examines the direct connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the immigration crisis we face today.

If We Knew Our History

‘Repeat After Me: The United States Is Not an Imperialist Country — Oh, and Don’t Get Emotional About War’

Article. By Bill Bigelow. If We Knew Our History Series.
Few people in this country know the sordid truth about the long history of U.S. warfare against, and exploitation of, Mexico — and by banning the successful Mexican American Studies program, the Tucson, Arizona school board wants to keep it that way.

Teaching Guides

The Expansion of Empire

Teaching Activity. By Gayle Olson-Raymer. 15 pages.
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 12 of Voices of a People’s History of the United States on internal dissent over American expansionist policies.