Read Ch. 1- "The Collision in Cultures" (Webpage), in your eText.
In the Video below, John Green looks at the first European explorations into the Americas. This Video serves as both a basic introduction to the roots of the United States, and also an exploration of how you can study history. As you watch it, keep the following questions in mind. They will be important for you to reflect on throughout the entire course and essential for understanding history.
Crash Course in US History #1
"John teaches you about early Spanish explorers, settlements, and what happened when they didn't get along with the indigenous people. The story of their rocky relations has been called the Black Legend. Which is not a positive legend." -Crash Course #1 US History episode summary