The Atlantic World
The Atlantic World Research Project
Starting in the 15th century, the Atlantic World became a vibrant and active ocean. Ideas, people, and items were exchanged regularly across this body of water, permanently altering the course of world history. In order to understand this complex system, you will be conducting a research project on a topic that interests you. You must show the role that the Atlantic World had on you topic, and you must make clear connections about the significance of your topic.
Here are some suggested topics:
The Columbian Exchange
Examine the impact that a plant, animal, or germ (disease) had on its new home. For example, what impact did corn have on Afro-Eurasia.
· The impact of horses on the Americas
· The impact of cows on the Americas
· The impact of wheat on the Americas
· The impact of corn on Afro-Eurasia
· The impact of potatoes on Afro-Eurasia
Plantation Crops
Examine the influence of semi-addictive subtropics crops around the world, such as tobacco, sugar, cotton, chocolate, coffee, tea.
Cultural Interactions
Explore the interactions of groups of people as they make contact between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. For example, examine how life changed in for a society in the Americas or Africa before and after the arrival of the Europeans.
European Colonial Powers
Compare and contrast the different objectives of the various European powers in the New World (and around the world), and explore their interactions. The Spanish (precious metal and large estates), Portuguese (large estates and slave trade), Dutch (raw materials), English (raw materials, esp. lumber), French (furs), and Russian (furs) all established colonies in the Americas.
Global Commodities and World Trade
Examine the impact that New World wealth, in the form of gold, silver, and raw materials, had on creating a global network.
Violence on the High Seas
· Robbery: Piracy and Privateering on the World Oceans
· Labor: The Middle Passage (The Slave Trade)
· Labor: The Impact of the Slave Trade on an area, such as the Ivory Coast of Africa, the Caribbean, or the American South
· European attitudes and policies towards Native Americans and African (i.e. explore it as an extension of European Crusader mentality)
The Assignment
Group Size: 1-2 Students
Approval: you must have teacher approval for both your research topic and your focus question before you begin. No two groups can have the same topic, so have a couple of things in mind. We will randomly draw for people to select a topic.
Focus Question: Your research project needs to be centered on answering a big picture question. Your entire presentation must be based on answering this question.
The Project: Conduct a major research project on a topic related to the Atlantic World. Present you findings to the class. The presentation needs to be 10 to 20 minutes. Your group’s primary focus needs to be on answering your focus through an engaging narrative (story). Have fun with these, and make your presentation enjoyable to watch.
Assessment: you will grade on the following:
Sources: You must include 5 sources presented in MLA format within an annotated bibliography. See this example: Annotated Bibliography
Starting in the 15th century, the Atlantic World became a vibrant and active ocean. Ideas, people, and items were exchanged regularly across this body of water, permanently altering the course of world history. In order to understand this complex system, you will be conducting a research project on a topic that interests you. You must show the role that the Atlantic World had on you topic, and you must make clear connections about the significance of your topic.
Here are some suggested topics:
The Columbian Exchange
Examine the impact that a plant, animal, or germ (disease) had on its new home. For example, what impact did corn have on Afro-Eurasia.
· The impact of horses on the Americas
· The impact of cows on the Americas
· The impact of wheat on the Americas
· The impact of corn on Afro-Eurasia
· The impact of potatoes on Afro-Eurasia
Plantation Crops
Examine the influence of semi-addictive subtropics crops around the world, such as tobacco, sugar, cotton, chocolate, coffee, tea.
Cultural Interactions
Explore the interactions of groups of people as they make contact between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. For example, examine how life changed in for a society in the Americas or Africa before and after the arrival of the Europeans.
European Colonial Powers
Compare and contrast the different objectives of the various European powers in the New World (and around the world), and explore their interactions. The Spanish (precious metal and large estates), Portuguese (large estates and slave trade), Dutch (raw materials), English (raw materials, esp. lumber), French (furs), and Russian (furs) all established colonies in the Americas.
Global Commodities and World Trade
Examine the impact that New World wealth, in the form of gold, silver, and raw materials, had on creating a global network.
Violence on the High Seas
· Robbery: Piracy and Privateering on the World Oceans
· Labor: The Middle Passage (The Slave Trade)
· Labor: The Impact of the Slave Trade on an area, such as the Ivory Coast of Africa, the Caribbean, or the American South
· European attitudes and policies towards Native Americans and African (i.e. explore it as an extension of European Crusader mentality)
The Assignment
Group Size: 1-2 Students
Approval: you must have teacher approval for both your research topic and your focus question before you begin. No two groups can have the same topic, so have a couple of things in mind. We will randomly draw for people to select a topic.
Focus Question: Your research project needs to be centered on answering a big picture question. Your entire presentation must be based on answering this question.
The Project: Conduct a major research project on a topic related to the Atlantic World. Present you findings to the class. The presentation needs to be 10 to 20 minutes. Your group’s primary focus needs to be on answering your focus through an engaging narrative (story). Have fun with these, and make your presentation enjoyable to watch.
Assessment: you will grade on the following:
- Content (Show and tell the class about what have learned through this process. Share the information as a story about life and events in the Atlantic World.)
- Organization (create a narrative that has a flow that is easy for your audience to follow.)
- Presentation (Ensure that you show and tell the class about what you have discovered. Make your presentation fun and engaging. Use technology when appropriate)
Sources: You must include 5 sources presented in MLA format within an annotated bibliography. See this example: Annotated Bibliography