Christopher Columbus Webquest

Students visit 3 websites and complete 2 creative tasks to learn about Columbus' journey of exploration, the hero vs villain debates regarding his legacy, Columbus Day celebrations, and having statues memorializing him. There are 18 questions of varying degrees of difficulty between the 3 websites (history.com, npr.org, and smithsonianmag.com). The answers are included where appropriate. 

Sample questions include:
--Compare and contrast the original intention of the holiday with the modern day proposal of revising it.
--Identify and explain aspects of Columbus’ journey, policies, etc that counter the hero status he had been given. Infer from prior knowledge and cite evidence from the text in your answer.
--Summarize the historic nature, and progression, of the anti-Columbus Day discussions by the public.
--Why is there an argument against changing Columbus Day and keeping it as is, and by whom? 
--Summarize why John Viola disagreed with the tearing down of Columbus’ statue in New York. Why did some Italian-Americans disagree with Viola?

Click here for more resources from Stephanie's History Store