Native Americans
The Native Americans were broken into five different regions, each with their own individual characteristics. Describe the southwest region.
Southwest region- Sedentary tribes, most notably being the Apache and Pueblo tribes. Descendants of the Anasazi (ancient) people. Known for their beautiful rock cliff dwellings that served as homes. Economies based on agriculture (corn, squash, beans) hunting, and gathering. This region includes modern-day states New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.
Describe European motivations for exploration.
Reformation in Europe- Reformation was a European movement from 1515-1650 that aimed at a new way of thinking about religion, introducing Protestantism. This new ideology combined with Martin Luther's efforts that challenged the Catholic Church's abuse (selling of indulgences for sins), the church became divided. This stimulated the want for exploration due to many people wanting to freely practice or spread their religion.
The pursuit of power- When the Catholic Church became less powerful, many new powerful rulers came to rise, consolidating many city-states and local principalities hat were once controlled by noble families. After feudalism declined, nation-states developed under monarchs who had a desire to expand their influence for political and religious world power, trade and land expansion.
The impact of the Renaissance- The renaissance was a time rebirth in Europe with many new mathematical, astrological, and scientific advances happening. This motivated people to look at the world in new ways. Nicolaus Copernicus was the first to establish the heliocentric theory, stating that the sun was the center of the universe. This inspired Galileo to prove Copernicus' theory.
The search for a new trade route- The European desire for new trade routes led to ab explosion of kingdoms looking for leverage. In search of the best trade route, Portugal and Spain began their exploration journey.
What was the Columbian exchange?
The transfer of food, minerals, people, and diseases between Africa, Europe, and the Americas causing a transformation of environments, and economies.
Describe the European versus Native American labor methods.
Europeans: Europeans divided work by gender, women having domestic responsibilities. Europeans believed women shouldn't farm the land, leading Europeans to believe the Natives were mistreating their women.
Native Americans: Divided work by gender, however believed farming was egalitarian (equal). Women tended to the farm and other domestic responsibilities while the men hunted and defended the tribe.
Describe the Encomienda System.
The Encomienda System replaced the Leyes de Burgos laws, which allowed for Native American slavery and mistreatment. This new Encomienda System allowed for colonizers (known as encomenderos) to demand tribute from the Native Americans, however prohibited slavery, Labor was to be paid in wages.
The Native Americans were broken into five different regions, each with their own individual characteristics. Describe the Southeast (Mississippi River Valley) region.
Sedentary tribes, most notably being the Cherokee and Chickasaw. This region had an abundance of fertile land, providing the perfect conditions for agriculture! This region also had other natural resources that provided them with shelter and clothing. Modern day states include Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin.
Describe the competition and the effect of this competition of European Exploration during this time. (Think of Spain and Portugal)
The competition between Spain and Portugal to be the first to discover the fastest trade route threatened to split apart the Catholic Church, so Pope Alexander IV negotiated the agreement of The Treaty Of Tordesillas. This treaty stated that areas discovered east of Europe would go to Portugal and areas discovered west of Europe would go to Spain.
Describe the transfer of diseases in the Columbian exchange.
Due to a lack of built-up immunity because of the isolation of South America, diseases brought by the Spaniards had immense casualties on the Native population, altering society. Small pox most notably hit the Arawak and Taino tribes, 300,000 dying and the Inca empire going from a population of 9 million to 500,000.
Describe the European versus Native American religious beliefs.
Europeans: monotheistic (believing in only one god), worshipping God as the single authority above all humans. Originally, many Europeans believed that the Natives only needed to be introduced to Christianity, but that soon died out as white supremacy came to a rise. This white supremacy gave way to oppressive practices, and many Europeans used the Bible as justification for this treatment.
Native Americans: Polytheistic (belief in many gods), promoting a balance between man and nature. They also didn't judge European beliefs.
Describe conquistadors.
Spanish conquering soliders
The Native Americans were broken into five different regions, each with their own individual characteristics. Describe the Great Plains/ Great Basin region.
Both nomadic and semi-sedentary tribes, most notably the Cheyenne and Sioux tribes focused on basket weaving and growing Maize. This region lacked natural resources due to drought and weather extremes. They hunted bison and elk, moving around from place-to-place as there were more rivers and precipitation to the East. Modern day states include Texas, Montana, Nevada, California, Idaho, and Kansas.
What were significant explorations made by the Portuguese and who were some key figures?
Portugal was very successful with their explorations as Prince Henry the Navigator was the star, starting a school to train maritime explorers. Portugal also founded the Atlantic Trade Route, meaning Europeans no longer had to travel through lands occupied by the Ottoman Empire.
Describe the transfer of food in the Columbian exchange.
America's to Europe:
Beans, Cacao, Maize, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Tobacco
Europe to America's:
Rice, Wheat, Soybeans, Rye, Oats, Lemons, Oranges
The Native Americans were broken into five different regions, each with their own individual characteristics. Describe the Pacific-Northwest region.
Sedentary tribes, most notably the Chinook and Tingit they were known for building large canoes and having hierarchical societies. (Shamans, warriors, traders) They lived communally in long houses, and incorporated slavery in their lifestyles. This region was near water, so they found themselves fishing rather than hunting and gathering. Modern day states include Oregon, Alaska, and Washington.
What were significant discoveries made by the Spanish? Who were key figures?
Christopher Columbus was commissioned by Spain to explore the West, and as a result he founded North America. This led to the permanent settlement of the New World (The America's) and the Old World (Europe)
Describe the transfer of animals in the Columbian exchange.
Europe to America's:
Pigs, cattle, chickens (all changed the diet of Native Americans), Horses (changed farming and war fare.)
The Native Americans were broken into five different regions, each with their own individual characteristics. Describe the Northeast region.
Sedentary tribes, most notably the Iroquois and Ottawa, they developed a seasonal lifestyle based on weather. In the summer months, they lived in portable houses called Wigwams, making it easier for them to forage. In the winter they live din communal longhouses. Iroquois speaking people formed a confederation of nations called the Iroquois League of Peace, encouraging peace between tribes. Modern day states include Virginia, North Carolina and New York.
In the 16th century, Hernan Cortes of Spain took an expedition to the continent of North America and founded the Aztec Empire. What did he do once in the Aztec Empire?
Hernan Cortes, along with 500 men landed in the Aztec's capital city, Tenochtitlan where he negotiated with the Aztec emperor, Montezuma who originally was nice to him. The Spaniards feared an uprising though, so they killed Montezuma and demolished the Aztec empire. This led to Spain conquering this land and enforcing an empire there.
Describe the transfer of minerals and the affect it had on the growth of European economies.
America's to Europe: gold and silver! When the gold and silver was founded after taking down Aztec and Inca empires, it made Spain the richest and most powerful nation in the world. (It eventually declined due to Spain not being able to properly manage their finances.)