Examine some of the rare books, maps, prints and other artifacts in this online exhibition. The exhibition explores several themes on the cultures and history of the Americas. The collection focuses on the period of pre-contact through...

This is a great lesson plan from the Library of Congress that shows how to use primary sources in the examination of the Spanish Conquistadors in America. The lesson plan offers many possible activities for students to use with the...

A collection of simple experiments for exploring the basic properties of light and color.

This collection uses primary sources to explain the early exploration of the Americas.

Interactive collection of presentations from the Library of Congress provides glimpses into the fascinating history of pre-Columbian Americas.

From a chapter on "Early Globalization: The Atlantic World, 1492-1650," this section describes the importance of Portuguese exploration of the Atlantic and Spanish exploration of the Americas.

A collection uses primary sources to explore the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

A fascinating look at the exchanges that took place around the world after the Americas were discovered. This covered the gamut from diseases which wiped out 90% of the native peoples in North and South America, to farm animals, tools,...

A quick comprehension check over European Exploration in the Americas.

Read and study the sources about the European Age of Exploration. As you read the four sources, think about the ways in which exploration during this time period impacted the Americas.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A look into the history of the Americas from the beginning of time to 1620. Learn about the American Indians, imperial rivalries, and exploration with resources from this page.

A lengthy lesson plan about the Norse encounters with indigenous people of North America by examining two sets of stories handed down through history by Vikings. [pdf]

Consider these resources while illustrating the natives' response to Europeans settling into the Americas.

The first Europeans to arrive in North America -- at least the first for whom there is solid evidence -- were Norse, traveling west from Greenland, where Erik the Red had founded a settlement around the year 985. In 1001 his son Leif is...

In this interactive lesson supporting literacy skills, students watch video dramatizations that tell the story of the Spanish explorers who arrived in the Americas with Columbus and introduced European, African, and Asian plants and...

A collection of primary sources to explore the motivations and realities behind life in the American colonies.

This American Memory site documents the discovery and exploration of the Americas with both manuscripts and published maps, many of which date from the European Age of Discovery. The site includes 22 map titles and descriptions, as well...

This interactive map explores the continent and countries of South America. Through political, physical, population, and climate map layers and individual country views, learn about the boundaries that define the continent's 12 sovereign...

Learning activity on religion and society in which students explore the ideas and events of the Great Awakening and determine the impact they may have had on the American Revolution. Site provides links to wide variety of resources for...

Learning resource uses primary source material to explore the ways in which commodities are extracted, produced, and exchanged and how those processes have shaped the physical and cultural landscape of North America.

This collection uses primary sources to explore The Awakening by Kate Chopin.

This collection uses primary sources to explore the impact of women blues performers.

This collection uses primary sources to explore the New Woman ideal.

A collection uses primary sources to explore the construction of the Panama Canal.