1. Unit 1: American Beginnings to 1877
Chapter 1: Exploration and the Colonial Era
Section 1: The Americas, West Africa, and Europe
We will cover the entire first unit in a short period of time, as it is meant to be mostly review. It covers a lot of material that we will not go into great detail about.
Why do you think I used this “Blueprint” background for the slides? It is a blueprint for the rest of U.S. History.

2. Exploration and the Colonial Era
Read “Interactive History” on page 3.
Answer the questions

3. How did people get here?
No one knows exactly when, but it may have been as long as 22,000 years ago
Ice Age froze vast quantities of the earth’s water, which lowered sea levels
Created a land bridge between Asia and Alaska across the Bering Strait
It is believed that hunters crossed the Strait following their food

4. End of the Ice Age
When the Ice Age ended, the glaciers melted and sea levels returned to normal
Land bridge disappeared
Ending travel between Asia and North America
Groups spread all across North America and into South America

5. Agriculture
Between 10,000 and 5,000 years ago agriculture emerged in central Mexico and spread throughout the Americas
Why was the development of agriculture and the planting of crops so important for early peoples?
Some groups continued their nomadic lifestyle

6. Ancient Cultures in the Americas
Mexico
Olmec
First empire of the Americas
Established as early as 1200 B.C. in Southern Mexico
Maya
A.D
Aztec
Sophisticated civilization in the 1200s
South America
Inca
2,500 miles of empire along the coast
Picture: Inca expansion from ’s A.D.

7. Native American Societies of the 1400s
Just as diverse as the land they occupied
Common Characteristics
Patterns of trade
Helped spread customs and beliefs
Attitudes toward land use
Land was not to be traded, it was the source of life*
Religious beliefs
Natural world filled with spirits
Social values
Family was the basic unit of organization
*Why do you think the Native American attitude toward land ownership lead to conflict with the Europeans?

8. West African Societies of the 1400s
Similar to Native Americans in that many different sophisticated societies existed
Most slaves that would make their way to the Americas came from this region
Their traditions and beliefs would play a significant role in forming American history

9. Notable Societies The Kingdom of Songhai
Became wealthy by controlling the trans-Sahara trade routes
Taxed caravans traveling through
What did they do with all their cash flow?
Raised large armies to conquer new territories
Built cities
Supported arts and education

10. Notable Societies The Kingdom of Benin
Controlled forests along the southern coast around the Niger Delta
Ewuare
Ruler who lead the expansion and built many cities

11. Notable Societies The Kingdom of Kongo
Controlled rain forest region in West Central Africa
Series of small kingdoms controlled by a single leader, “manikongo”

12. West African Culture Mostly small villages
Life revolved around the family and traditions
Political leaders claimed authority based on religion
Most believed in a variety of gods but a single creator
Supported themselves by farming, hunting, mining, or trading
Believed in collective ownership of the land

13. Trade Timbuktu Islam The hub of a well-established trading network
Connected West Africa with the ports of North Africa, which took goods to Europe and Asia
Goods traded:
Gold, ivory, and dyed cloth
Islam
Came from North Africa
Monotheistic faith that had a profound influence on West African societies

14. Important Note:
Portuguese mariners began trading directly with the coastal regions starting in the 1440s
Began the European trade of enslaved West Africans

15. European Societies of the 1400s
Communities based on social hierarchy
Little social mobility

16. Christianity Christianity was the dominant religion in Europe
The pope and his bishops enjoyed great political and spiritual authority
The Crusades
Christianity and Islam came into conflict as the armies fought over the Holy Land around Jerusalem

17. Crusades Results Christian Europeans failed to capture the Holy Land
Encouraged exploration and expansion
Opened trade routes to Asia
Weakened the power of European nobles
Many lost their lives or their fortunes during the Crusades
Monarchs used this to increase their own power

18. Reformation Many people desired change by the early 1500s
Led to the Reformation
Protestants  opposed the Catholic church
How might this help spur exploration and the settlement of new lands?
Answer: People wanted a place of religious freedom

19. Major Players Portugal Spain France England
Powerful monarchs collected taxes and raised large armies to strengthen their government.

20. Renaissance Cultural awakening Expansion Technological Advances
Led to many advancements in the arts and science
Expansion
European monarchs sought new trade routes and land to increase wealth
Technological Advances
Weapons
Cannons, longbows, and firearms
Maps were more accurate

21. Sailing Technology Many advances in sailing technology
Compass and astrolabe
Helped sailors plot their direction
Prince Henry of Portugal
Brought mariners, geographers, and navigators to his court
Many sailors made long trips
Christopher Columbus believed he could reach India by traveling west across the Atlantic
Picture: Prince Henry

22. Activity Answer #3: Critical Thinking on p. 13 Use complete sentences
Must be at least 5 sentences
5 pts.

23. Movie Clip
The Crusades
30 min.