Amerigo Vespucci's Encounters and Observations

Amerigo Vespucci was a 16th-century Italian merchant and explorer remembered not only for his voyages that altered the course of history but for bestowing the New World with the name “America.” Vespucci’s mapping of coastlines and constellations, cultural observations, and identification of equatorial ocean currents led to the realization that his travels had taken him to a new continent, challenging the previously held belief that Christopher Columbus had reached the uncharted eastern edge of Asia. Early in his career, Vespucci worked for the Medici family as a banker and later supervised ship operations in Seville, Spain. Accounts vary, but many believe that Vespucci met Christopher Columbus in Seville in 1496, after Columbus’s historic 1492 voyage, and assisted Columbus in preparing for future expeditions.

Why do you believe the first encounter Amerigo Vespucci has with Native Americans ends how he describes?

How does Amerigo Vespucci later earn the Native Americans’ trust?

What is a crossbow?

What examples does Vespucci use to describe the Native Americans’ fitness levels?

What do you believe is the purpose of describing their weapons?

Approximate how long the Native American canoes are in feet.

How do female Native Americans support war efforts?

According to Vespucci, what is the motivation for most wars between Native American tribes?

Would you prefer to sleep the way Native Americans did in 1500 or the way European explorers did in 1500? Why?

What does “epicurean” mean? HINT: In this context it does not mean they follow the Greek philosopher Epicurus.

Why do the Native Americans move every 10 years or so?

Recall from unit 2: which European farming practice prevents their soil from becoming corrupted?

How do Native Americans display their “wealth”?

How do the Native Americans allegedly cure those who are ill?

According to Vespucci, what is the “bestial custom” that many Native Americans perform?

What resource does Vespucci specifically call out as seeing in the land?

Find a quote that reveals an economic motive for Vespucci’s voyages.

Find a quote that shows something about the Native American culture.

Find a quote of something that you felt was unbelievable.

Is Amerigo Vespucci’s attitude towards the Native American tribes positive or negative? Using a quote from the text and proper in-text citation, support your answer.