Colonial Worldview

Colonial Worldview

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Grade Levels: 9-12

Time Allotment: 60 to 75 minutes

Maine Social Studies Standards: C1, C2, D2, E1, E2

This lesson uses European maps from before the American Revolution to show how Europeans saw the world and its inhabitants. By highlighting images of people, symbols, resources and tools, this lesson asks the following questions: Why did Europeans think colonialism was morally justifiable? Why did they want to colonize? How were they able to colonize so many parts of the world?

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DownloadItem Files

This folder contains images of all items used in this lesson. To view the available items in zoomify, click on the links below:

238 Image  262 Image  Title Page Ortelius  Champlain Map of New France  Suetter Map of New England using Jansson Plates

Map of South America showing natives with gold  Map of Africa showing Slaves in Chains (Images 232/233 & 188/189)

Map showing Sugar Plantation in South America (Image 296/297)   


DownloadPresentation Files

This folder contains a powerpoint (.ppt) file of the completed presentation, as well as a suggested script in both .pdf and .doc formats.

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PPT Presentation

PDF Suggested Script w/ Images

DOC Editable Script


DownloadActivity Files

This folder contains a .pdf file of the activity accompanying this lesson and any necessary documents and answer keys.

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PDF Colonial Worldview Activity

PDF Answer Key


Suggested Reading

Daston, Lorraine. Wonders and the Order of Nature, 1150 - 1750. 2001.

Explore Other Lessons

Intro to Maps  Travel and Transportation  Maps of Portland  Travel and Tourism  Medieval Maps  Maine State History

Projections and Globemaking  Cartography & the Renaissance  Colonization of New England  Colonial South America  Colonial Worldview  Grim Side of Thematic Mapping

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