Mock Trial: Was Columbus Guilty of Genocide?
From: Zinn Education Project
Grade Level: MS, HS, (College)
Remote Ready: With Modifications
Time: Depends Upon Which Parts You Choose
Length of Reading: Depends on which method you choose for imparting background material
Each of 5 student groups represent one of the following in a mock trial: Columbus, the system of empire, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, Columbus's men, or the Tainos. The teacher is the prosecutor. Each Group must defend themselves against charges of genocide and indicate who they believe to be guilty. An excellent discussion ensues. You might try some combination of the following add-ons (recommended by Anti-textbook.org, not Zinn Education Project).
Chapter 1 from A People's History of the United States: "Columbus, The Indians, and Human Progress" (free online from History is a Weapon)
Watch at least the first 30 min of Columbus in America, an online documentary (free with Prime or buy for $8 on Amazon)
Lies My Teacher Told Me, Chapter 2: "1493: The True Importance of Christopher Columbus." You'll have to go to the library for this one.
Primary Source: A letter from Columbus to Ferdinand and Isabella's treasurer
Primary Source: A letter from King Ferdinand to the Taino Indians
More Information:
Grade Level:
MS, HS, (College): This lesson is meant for middle school and high school students; however, we think it would be well suited for college too
This Activity Involves:
Primary Source: This activity utilizes primary sources.
Secondary Source: This activity utilizes secondary sources.
Group Work: This activity calls for working in pairs or groups or having a group discussion.
del Piombo, Sebastiano. Edited Portrait of a Man, Said to be Christopher Columbus (born about 1446, died 1506). Wikimedia Commons, 22 August 2025, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CristobalColon.jpg.
