Questions and Answers
When did Pangaea start to break apart?
225 million years ago
What significant geographical feature shaped North America 10 million years ago?
Canadian Shield
What period is referred to as the Great Ice Age?
2 million years ago
What formed an isthmus connecting Asia and North America 35,000 years ago?
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How did the earliest Americans arrive in America?
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Where did Europeans first reach sub-Sahara Africa?
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What did the Portuguese set up along the African beaches?
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What percentage of the crops around the world originated from the Americas?
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What was the population drop of the Taino natives due to diseases brought by the Spanish?
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What percentage of the Indian population died due to disease in centuries following their arrival in America?
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What was Spain's status in the 1500s regarding exploration and colonization?
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What were the three motivations referred to as the Three G's in Spanish exploration?
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What transformed the European economy due to the New World?
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What role did the Islands of the Caribbean Sea play for the Spanish?
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Who were the mestizos?
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Who set sail from Cuba in 1519 to explore Mexico?
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What was the Aztec capital called?
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How much did the Indian population in Mexico drop due to Spanish rule?
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When did the first humans cross into the Americas from Asia?
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When was corn developed as a staple crop?
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When did Norse voyagers discover and briefly settle in North America?
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What significant event happened in 1492?
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In what year did Magellan's vessel complete circumnavigation of the world?
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What year did the Spanish build a fortress at St. Augustine?
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Study Notes
Geographical and Historical Context
- Pangaea began to break apart 225 million years ago, shaping Earth's continents.
- 10 million years ago, the Canadian Shield was formed, contributing to North America's geological identity.
- The Great Ice Age occurred 2 million years ago, influencing climate and habitat.
Migration and Population
- 35,000 years ago, a significant drop in sea levels created the Bering Isthmus, allowing for human migration from Asia to North America.
- The earliest Americans arrived via boats or the Bering Isthmus, establishing the first human presence in the continent.
- By the 1500s, the Taino Native population plummeted from approximately 1 million to 200 due to introduced diseases from European settlers.
European Exploration and Colonial Expansion
- Europeans first reached sub-Sahara Africa around 1450, marking the beginning of transatlantic exploration.
- The Portuguese established trading posts along African coasts, engaging in the slave trade and exchanging goods like gold.
- Spain emerged as the dominant colonial power in the 1500s, driven by motivations often summarized as the "Three G's": God, Glory, and Gold.
Demographics and Cultural Impact
- The Indian population suffered catastrophic declines; around 90% perished due to diseases within centuries following European contact.
- Mestizos emerged as a result of intermarriage between conquistadors and Native Americans, exemplifying cultural blending in Latin America.
Key Explorers and Events
- Hernan Cortés, sailing from Cuba in 1519, utilized interpreters including Malinche, further facilitating Spanish conquests.
- Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, captivated Cortés with its wealth and beauty, ultimately leading to the exploitation of its resources.
- The Colombian Exchange began as significant crops from the Americas, which constitute four-fifths of global crops today, were introduced to Europe.
Significant Dates in Exploration
- Corn became a staple crop in highland Mexico by 5000 BC, reaching the American Southwest by 1200 BC.
- Norse explorers settled briefly in North America around 1000 AD, while corn cultivation spread throughout the Midwest and southeastern regions.
- From 1200-1300 AD, the Mississippian culture thrived, marked by the establishment of Cahokia.
- The late 1400s saw Spain's unification leading to intensified exploration.
- Columbus's voyage in 1492 marked the European discovery of the Americas, landing in the Bahamas.
Notable Exploratory Achievements
- Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498, paving the way for a maritime trade route.
- Ponce de León explored Florida in 1513 and 1521, while Hernán Cortés conquered Mexico from 1519-1521.
- Ferdinand Magellan's expedition completed the first circumnavigation of the globe by 1522.
- French explorer Jacques Cartier journeyed the St. Lawrence River in 1534, indicating the expansion of European interest in North America.
Cultural and Territorial Developments
- Spanish territorial forts were established in North America, such as St. Augustine in 1565, signaling European claims to land.
- The late 1500s marked the legend of the Iroquois Confederacy founding, showcasing political and social organization among Native tribes.
- The late 1600s through the early 1700s saw significant French exploration along the Mississippi River under La Salle, indicating competition among European powers for dominance in North America.
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Description
Test your knowledge of early North American history with these flashcards covering significant events from geological history to the Great Ice Age. Each card highlights essential dates and their implications in shaping the continent.
