Individual Lesson View
Mock Trial:
Was Columbus Guilty of Genocide?
From: Zinn Education Project
Grade Level: MS, HS, (College)
Remote Ready: With Modifications
Time: Depends Upon Which Parts You Choose
Length of Reading: Depends on which method you choose for imparting background material
The People vs. Columbus, et. al
Each of 5 student groups represent one of the following in a mock trial: Columbus, the system of empire, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, Columbus's men, or the Tainos. The teacher is the prosecutor. Each Group must defend themselves against charges of genocide and indicate who they believe to be guilty. An excellent discussion ensues.
Chapter 1 from A People's History of the United States:
"Columbus, The Indians, and Human Progress"
(free online from History is a Weapon)
You might try some combination of the following add-ons (recommended by Anti-textbook.org, not Zinn Education Project).
Watch at least the first 30 min of Columbus in America , an online documentary (free with Prime or buy for $8 on Amazon)
Lies My Teacher Told Me, Chapter 2: "1493: The True Importance of Christopher Columbus." You'll have to go to the library for this one.
Primary Source: A letter from Columbus to Ferdinand and Isabella's treasurer
Primary Source: A letter from King Ferdinand to the Taino Indians
Lesson Identifier: 3HImage: del Piombo, Sebastiano. “Portrait of a Man, Said to be Christopher Columbus,” edited to blink. Wikipedia, 1519, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Columbus#/media/File:Portrait_of_a_Man,_Said_to_be_Christopher_Columbus.jpg. Accessed: 7.13.2020.
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Grade Level: MS, HS, (College)
- This lesson is intended for middle school (MS) and high school students (HS)
- However, we think it would be excellent for college students as well.
Remote Ready: With Modifications
- A link to the first recommended reading assignments can easily be emailed or posted for students.
- It’s much easier for small groups or pairs to coordinate a phone call or video conference meeting than for the entire class to sync their schedules. Have these small groups post a written defense of themselves and indicate which group they believe to be guilty on your LMS. Then have other groups respond in the LMS.
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This means that this activity utilizes primary sources
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This activity contains secondary sources
Group Work Icon
This activity calls for working in pairs, a group, and/or having a class discussion
Writing Icon
This icon represents a long writing assignment such as an essay or a several paragraph response to a prompt. Almost all activities require students to answer questions, but that's not what this icon represents.
Movie Icon
This means that this activity calls for showing a film, clip, and/or documentary
Computer Icon
This means that a computer is required for this activity. We will NOT use this icon when print-outs are possible.
Debate Icon
This activity involves a student debate
Role Play Icon
This activity involves asking students to portray historical figures
Reviews of This Lesson Plan
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Historical Material
10
Teaching Methodology
10
Student Engagement
10
I’ve used this Columbus Mock Trial a couple of times, and I love it. I think you absolutely need to add one of the specified readings and/or a lecture about Columbus to make sure students have the background info to debate.
Good lesson to start the year & intro US History classes to deep thinking / multiple p.o.v.