Year 8 · History · beta

European conquest of the Americas: why was its impact so devastating?

In this unit, pupils learn about the Americas before the arrival of Europeans before examining the impact of their early settlement and colonisation, with a particular focus on England's first successful American colonies.

This is an attributed Oak National Academy lesson sequence, not a completed or academically approved DASKEREL course. Supporting transcripts may depend on video, images, practical equipment or teacher explanation. Follow each lesson’s supervision guidance. For religious education and RSHE, follow the school’s syllabus, policy and safeguarding procedures.

Prior knowledge

  • Pupils know that Europe was isolated from North America.
  • Pupils know that explorers would sail across seas, to discover new lands to trade with.
  • Pupils know that indigenous populations existed in North America, unbeknown to Europeans.

Source curriculum references

  • Identify significant events, make connections, draw contrasts, and analyse trends within periods and over long arcs of time
  • Understand historical concepts such as continuity and change
  • Understand historical concepts such as cause and consequence
  • At least one study of a significant society or issue in world history and its interconnections with other world developments [for example, Mughal India 1526-1857; China’s Qing dynasty 1644-1911; Changing Russian empires c.1800-1989; USA in the 20th century]

Oak source metadata. DASKEREL has not independently verified school-level coverage.

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