Creating a Nation: Beginnings to 1877

Pre-Columbian America First civilizations arrived between 15, ,000 years ago  Agriculture took hold, cities developed First American civilization arose in Mesoamerica  Olmec Maya and Aztec followed  Built impressive temples

Native Americans of North America 1500s – Native Americans were established north Eastern Woodlands  Combined hunting and fishing with farming Southeast  Built stockades around villages for protection Southwest  Farmed corn, beans and cotton Pacific Northwest  Fishing Far North  Hunters

Early Modern Europe Renaissance and Reformation  Renaissance  Intellectual revolution  Renewed commitment to reason  Reformation  Martin Luther called for changes in Catholic Church in 1517  New churches emerged Overseas Exploration Begins  Portugal took early lead  Spain and France began colonizing Americas

The Spanish and French Establish Colonies Spain  Columbus reached the Bahamas for Spain in October 1492  In search of gold  Treaty of Tordesillas resolved Spanish/Portuguese rivalry  New Spain  Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec  Brought over many deadly diseases Killed many  Ultimately Spain controlled a large portion of the Americas

The Spanish and French Establish Colonies France  Began exploring eastern North America in the early 1500s  Established a colony in Canada  Looking for fur  Began trading with Native Americans  Expanded territory with explorations down the Mississippi River  Claimed Louisiana for King Louis XIV