Societies of the Americas to 1492
What was the first crop planted in the area that is now Central Mexico that was grown for human consumption?
corn (maize)
By the 1400s, how was West Africa connected to the rest of the world?
trade
Why did people typically accept their position in the social hierarchy in Europe, even if they were the peasants at the bottom?
They believed that they were in the social status that God put them in
In October 1492, one of Columbus's ships reached land. What was the group called who lived there?
Taino
What is the oldest European-founded city in the United States?
St. Augustine, Florida
Which advanced society built a highway system to facilitate military and government operations?
The Inca
Many West African societies were matrilineal. What does that word mean?
Lineage is traced through the mother's side of the family
Catholics in Europe in the 15th century wanted to be promised salvation. How did this impact exploration?
Catholics were told that converting people from other faiths would guarantee salvation. They went past Europe's borders to defend and spread their faith.
Why did Columbus leave San Salvador?
they did not have any gold
Why did the Aztec emperor agree to give Hernan Cortes some of their gold supply?
The Aztec emperor, Montezuma agreed to give Cortes gold because they believed he was a god
Which advanced society created a writing system and a number system that was based on the concept of zero?
The Maya
Name 3 ways West Africans supported themselves:
farming
herding
hunting
fishing
mining
trading
What motives did European monarchs have for encouraging discovery of new land? Name 2:
New trade routes
Needed money to maintain their armies
Needed money for the government
Why did Columbus give a Spanish name to every island he passed?
to spread Spain's influence/control
Within a few years of conquering the Aztecs, how was Spanish influence visible in New Spain?
Spanish churches, homes, Cathedrals, and a university replaced the native temples and palaces
Name 3 factors that cause groups of people to migrate:
Need for food
Wanting adventure
Wanting freedom
Escaping disease
Enslavement
In the 1480s, Portugal claimed 2 islands called Principe and Sao Tome. What impact did this have on US history?
Portugal set up a plantation system on those islands. The plantation system helped their economy and provided a model that would be reproduced in the Americas
How did the Renaissance effect exploration?
Encouraged people to focus on themselves as individuals and seek glory for themselves through adventure
What did Columbus do to spread Christianity to the islands he passed through?
left a cross on each island
How did Florida get its name?
Juan Ponce de Leon spotted land on Easter Day (in 1513) and the Spanish called Easter the feast of Flowers (pascua florida)
Although no two Native American societies were exactly alike, many shared cultural traits. Name 3:
Trade networks (connected groups to each other)
View of land (source of life, not something to be owned)
Religious beliefs (the natural world was filled with spirits)
Social organization (based on families)
Interactions between the Portuguese and West Africans in the 1400s had 2 major consequences. What were they?
1. Direct trade brought the economies of Africa and Europe closer together
2. The Portuguese began the West African slave trade in Europe
What were 3 direct effects of the Crusades?
Increased trade (Crusaders returned home with new goods from Asia)
Decreased power of Pope
Weakened power of European nobles
During the Columbian exchange, what went from the Americas to Europe, Asia, and Africa? Name at least 3:
Squash
Corn
Avocado
Pineapple
Peanuts
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Tobacco
Coronado's men could not find gold in the Southwest, so they turned to Mexico. Why did more Spanish explorers return to the Southwest after Coronado? Name 2 reasons:
1. Searching for silver
2. Spreading the Roman Catholic religion