Period 1 1491-1607 Section 1

Populating the Americas How did people get on to the American continents? The “Land Bridge” Theory It’s estimated that people crossed a land bridge from Asia between 25,000-35,000 years ago. Most early Americans were nomadic hunter-gatherers until the development of agriculture in modern-day Mexico

The Effects of Agriculture After the development of agriculture: Groups of people become less mobile and begin to grow into complex civilizations Distinctive cultures begin to develop

Tribes of Mexico, Central, and South America Developed large sedentary civilizations that were centered on agriculture (especially the cultivation of maize). Complex trading systems were established Large metropolises with populations that rivaled the largest European cities of the time. Accurate solar calendars were developed Population at the time of European contact is estimated at over 20,000,000 Examples: The Mayas of the Yucatan Peninsula (300-800 A.D.) The Aztecs in the valley of Mexico

Tribes of the Southwest Most lived in caves or under cliffs Irrigation systems were developed to help cultivation. Examples: The Anasazi The Pueblo

Tribes of the Great Plains and Great Basin Remained mostly mobile because of the lack of water and natural resources of the region. They hunted the great buffalo herds on the Great Plains, using all parts of the animals. Skin = clothing, and teepees Bones = tools and weapons Meat = food The introduction of the horse by the 15th Century Spanish and Portuguese explorers revolutionized the way that many Native American tribes hunted (especially on the Great Plains).

Tribes of Northeast and Atlantic Seaboard Developed a society that was primarily hunter-gatherer, although there was some agriculture. Settled in semi-permanent villages. The five biggest tribes of the Northeast united to form the Iroquois Confederation

Reasons for European Exploration There were many technologies developed during the Renaissance that helped to encourage European exploration: Example - Navigational compasses were developed by the Arabs and used by Europeans The proliferation of the printing press helped to spread knowledge and ideas across Europe Example – Major improvement in mapmaking A desire to find a new trade route to the East (“Western Passage”) Europeans wanted to find a sea route to the east, so they could avoid making the expensive and dangerous trip through the Arab countries by land.

1492 - Christopher Columbus, an Italian sailor, whose trip was financed by the Spanish monarchs, made land fall in the Bahamas. For the next century, Spanish and Portuguese explorers called Conquistadors, pushed deep into the Americas. Hernan Cortez – Led the conquest of Mexico against Aztecs Francisco Pizarro – Conquered the Incas of Peru

The Effects of Spanish Exploration The exchange of Old World and New World plants and animals (The Columbian Exchange) Examples: Horse, cattle, and swine did not exist in the New World prior to European contact Tobacco, corn, and potatoes did not exist in the Old World prior to European contact Racially mixed populations (called Mestizo) The development of labor systems (the Encomienda).

The Dark Side of the Columbian Exchange How did the Columbian Exchange negatively Native American culture? Besides the livestock, European contact brought deadly epidemics such as smallpox Native Americans did not have immunities built up to the European diseases, and millions died – the mortality rate was as high as 90% in some regions Side note: On the Island of Hispaniola population dropped from over 3 million to 60,000 between the years (1494 to 1508)

Splitting Up the New World The first two European powers to explore the new world were the Spanish and the Portuguese. New World land disputes threatened to throw the countries into a devastating war with each other. The Treaty of Tordesillas An agreement between to Spain and Portugal to peacefully split up the New World land Portugal got modern day Brazil Spain got the rest of the New World

Civilizing the “Savages” Spanish and Portuguese explorers developed a belief in European superiority over the Native Americans The Europeans often exploited Native Americans for Economic gain The Europeans tried to force Natives to adopt European traditions and religion For example, Europeans were big proponents of private property, but the Indians viewed the land as shard amongst all people. Many were forced into the Spanish labor system called the “Encomienda”

Labor Systems in the New World As the Spanish began to colonize, a labor system called the encomienda developed. How the encomienda worked: In an attempt to populate the New World more rapidly, the King of Spain would grant large plots of land to Spaniards, and give them Native Americans as slaves They forced Native Americans to work the sugar plantation fields and mine for silver.

Introduction of African Slavery Because of the high mortality rate, Native Americans did not remain the source of labor for long The Spanish began to buy African slaves from the Portuguese The vast majority of African slaves imported to the New World were brought into the Spanish and Portuguese colonies

The Spanish Mission System One of the ways that the European Explorers attempted to “civilize” the Native American groups was through the mission system. Catholic Missions were set up to convert Native Americans to Catholicism On the mission, the Natives were forced to work as slaves through the Encomienda The slavery was justified by the Spanish by claiming that forced labor was a small price to pay for eternal salvation.

The Effects of New World Exploration on the Population of Europe New crops, such as the potato and corn stimulated population growth in Europe Economic shift from feudalism to capitalism Explorers came to the New World looking to make huge profits New World gold and silver caused massive currency inflation (500% in a Century) in Europe

The Effects of New World Exploration on the Countries of Europe After seeing the massive wealth accumulated by the Spanish and Portuguese through their New World Exploration, other European powers (the Dutch, English, and French) began to look into New World ventures.