Columbus in the New World
In Columbus in the New World, host Andrew Marr recounts how Christopher Columbus lands on the Bahamian island of Guanahani and decides to name it San Salvador. After meeting with the Indigenous people on the island, Columbus describes how he thinks he can claim the land for Spain, enslave the people, and convert them to Christianity. This kicks off a global gold rush. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Andrew Marr's History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
Andrew Marr goes on an epic journey through 70,000 years of human history, telling the story of how great forces of nature and individual genius shaped the world we live in today. Learn more.
Lesson Express
Q: Where did Columbus think he was? Where did he actually land?
A: He thought he was in Asia; he actually landed in the Bahamas.
Q: What three things did Columbus want to use to take over or conquer the New World?
A: Slavery, Christianity, superior weapons.
Q: What impact did the Europeans have on the Indigenous populations?
A: The Indigenous people were heavily impacted by European diseases and many died.
More Like This
In Setting Sail With Columbus, host Andrew Marr introduces Columbus and the men who sailed with him on one of the first expeditions to find a trading route to Asia. The queen declared a reward for the first person to spot land, which ended up being what Columbus called the “New World.” This video is excerpted from BBC’s Andrew Marr's History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
In Setting Sail With Columbus, host Andrew Marr introduces Columbus and the men who sailed with him on one of the first expeditions to find a trading route to Asia. The queen declared a reward for the first person to spot land, which ended up being what Columbus called the “New World.” This video is excerpted from BBC’s Andrew Marr's History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.