The Little Known History of the Jewish Exploration of the New World
This class will trace the history of the Jewish role in the exploration and settlement of the New World from the early explorers who came with Columbus and traveled with the Conquistadores to those who had to fight the Inquisition.
Anthony J Van Zwaren
Average rating:
4.4
Number of reviews:(57)
What's included
2 live meetings
1 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Students should have some knowledge about the exploration of the New World from the time of the time of the explorations of Columbus through the Conquest of Mexico and Peru. They should have some basic knowledge about the role of the Inquisition in the New World as well as some of the battles between the rival empires of Spain, Portugal, Holland and England in the exploration and conquest of Ibero-America (the Spanish and Portuguese colonial empires).
This course will go through the history of the emigration of Jewish and secret Jewish settlers in the New World from the time of Columbus and the Conquest of Mexico and Peru through the Inquisition when it came to the New World and how the Jews and "conversos" (Jewish converts to Christianity) attempted to gain their rights and freedoms against the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition and for the right to settle in the New World in the Dutch and English colonies. It will examine their role as explorers, traders, financiers, and backers of the fight of England and Holland against the Spanish Empire.
The first class will go through the time of exploration and how Jews were involved in preparing the maps that would be used by Columbus and others in their attempts to travel to Asia. It will also look at how Jews were involved in the Conquest with Cortes and other Conquistadores. The course will then explore how the Inquisition cut off the Jews and converts ("New Christians") from settling in Spanish and Portuguese colonies upon pain of death and torture.
The second part will discuss how these early Sephardim were active with Holland and then England in undercutting the power of Spain in the New World, in financing Holland and England's armies and navies, in providing intelligence, and in even becoming privateers and pirates raiding Spanish galleons. We will see how Jews were eventually given rights to settle in England and Holland and in New World areas like Jamaica and Curacao based upon their contributions to the Dutch and British Kings against the Spanish EmpireLearning Goals
Most people think of the Jewish emigration to the Americas in terms of the emigration of Ashkenazi Jews from places like Germany and Poland to the earlier emigration of "New Christians" (Jews who converted or were made to convert to Christianity) who came here from the time that Columbus arrived in San Salvador and their role in settling in Brazil, Jamaica, and New Amsterdam. They will learn that long before the major emigrations to the Americas, Jews had made the New World a home, even if they were not always welcome here.
Other Details
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean by Edward Kritzler is an excellent source of material on early Jewish settlements in the New World. You may be able to find a copy in your local library or online.
Joined April, 2020
4.4
57reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
New Jersey Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
2 Degrees
Doctoral Degree from New York Law School
Bachelor's Degree in History from Stony Brook University
I was a teacher of social studies in New York City Middle Schools for six years and was also a substitute teacher in New Jersey after leaving the practice of law. I have background in studying world history and interest in the little known story of Jewish settlement in the New World centuries before Jews began emigrating here from Germany and Poland in the 19th Century. Much of this information comes from an important book called "Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean" by Edward Kritzler. The Sephardic Jews had lived in Spain before they were forcibly expelled by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$25
for 2 classes1x per week, 2 weeks
45 min
Completed by 6 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-14
6-12 learners per class
