The Columbian Encounter: Introduction

Christopher Columbus's famous voyage in 1492 set in motion a process historians now call the "Columbian Encounter" - the mingling of the peoples, plants, animals, and micro-organisms of the linked continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe with those of the Americas. In this CyberTower room, Professor Mary Beth Norton, a noted historian of Early America, explores the "Age of Discovery," focusing on pre-contact Europe and America; Columbus's voyages; and initial European encounters with the American environment and indigenous peoples. Throughout, she draws on seldom-seen contemporary images to illustrate her account of the dramatic events that affect our lives even today. This video is part 1 of 5 in the The Columbian Encounter series.