Early North American Civilizations

• The Ice Age led to the Bering Strait, which influenced diverse cultures and languages across the American continents.
• Early inhabitants spread across two continents, reaching the tip of South America in search of food due to the threat of extinction of large animals.
• Agriculture became essential, with maize, squash, and beans (the "three sisters") as the foundation.
• A medieval warm period around 950 AD facilitated agricultural expansion and the growth of cities in North America, similar to Europe and West Africa.

Cahokia

• Cahokia, the largest city north of Mexico, was a major trading and manufacturing hub across the Mississippi River.
• It featured cities and mounds used for housing and other purposes.
• Ancestors of the Pueblos and Hohokam built major trading cities and irrigation canals for desert farming.

Chaco Canyon

• An ancient civilization was constructed within Chaco Canyon.
• Pueblos were a significant part of the United States' history.
• North America was home to diverse Native American cultures with different patterns and languages.

Regions

• Southwest: Anasazi, Hohokam, and Pueblo peoples lived there.
• Northwest: People lived in high mountain ranges.
• Great Basin/Great Plains: Faced a dry climate, leading to mobile ways of life.
• Mississippi River Valley: Located east of the Mississippi, relying on hunting, fishing, and agriculture.
• Northeast Settlements: The Great League of Peace connected the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca, and Onondaga tribes for dealing with outsiders.
• Atlantic Seaboard: Characterized by woodland mound builders.

Native American Societies Before European Contact

• Before Columbus, there were over 500 Native American tribes in the area that would become the United States, as well as in South America.
• Mayas: Between 300 and 800 AD, they had cities in the Yucatan Peninsula.
• Aztecs: Established an empire in what is now central Mexico.
• Incas: Based in Peru, they also had a vast empire in the south.
• These nations exemplified complex societies in the Americas before Columbus and European contact, engaging in extensive trade and sharing a similar food supply (the "three sisters").
• Trading networks existed throughout North America.
• Native Americans viewed land as a shared resource provided by "The Great Spirit."

Religion and Equality

• Women often held more power in Native American societies compared to Europe.
• Religion was deeply connected to nature, involving animals, plants, trees, wind, and water

Freedom and Slavery

• Some Europeans saw Native Americans as free, while others believed they lacked the concept of freedom.
• Native American freedom was considered "barbaric" with "no respect for authority."
• Slavery existed, primarily involving war captives, but was not inheritable.

European Exploration in the Americas - Technology

• A rebirth of classical learning spurred artistic and scientific advancements.
• Gunpowder: Originating in China, it reached Europe and led to the development of more powerful weapons.
• Sailing Compass: Adopted from China, it revolutionized trade and travel.
• Printing Press: Introduced in the 1450s, it spread knowledge across Europe.

European Exploration in the Americas - Religion

• Religious conflicts motivated Europeans to find new territories and seek refuge from persecution.
• Catholic Victory: In 1492, Spain took over the Iberian Peninsula and aimed to continue the Reconquista, funding Christopher Columbus to discover new trade routes and expand Catholicism.

European Exploration in the Americas - Imperialism

• Prelude: China and Portugal pioneered ocean navigation.
• The Portuguese colonized parts of West Africa, using the Caravel to explore Africa's coast, opening new trade routes and the slave trade, primarily seeking gold, marking the beginning of Imperialism.
• Columbus sailed west to find a new route to the Far East, supported by Spain's desire to continue the Reconquista and spread Catholicism.
• Inspired by Marco Polo, Columbus landed in the Bahamas and established Hispaniola, leading to further exploration.
• Trade Routes: European countries sought trade routes for goods and, later, slaves, with figures like Henry the Navigator paving the way for Imperialism

Imperialism

• Imperialism: Nations colonized other regions for resources to support the "mother country."
• After Columbus's arrival in the Americas, European nations sought resources in the "New World."
• The Spanish and Portuguese mastered global travel.
• The Conquistadores followed Columbus in search of Gold, Glory, and God (the three G’s).

Hernan Cortes

• Hernan Cortes attacked the Aztecs, establishing a Spanish settlement in central Mexico.

Francisco Pizarro

• Francisco Pizarro conquered the Incas, securing Spanish territory.
• These areas formed the foundation for New Spain, relying on Native American labor to extract resources for Spain.
• The Encomienda System forced Native Americans to work on land seized by the Spanish, who were supposed to "care" for them in return.

Dividing the Americas

• After Columbus, Spain and Portugal sought papal intervention to divide the Americas.
• Line of Demarcation: In 1493, the Pope drew a line, granting Spain the west and Portugal the east.
• Treaty of Tordesillas: The line was moved west, with Portugal claiming Brazil and Spain claiming western lands.
• Other European countries, like England and France, also sought to claim American territories.
• This competition led to the Columbian Exchange, blending cultures and establishing the Americas.

Columbian Exchange, Spanish Exploration, and Conquest

• The control of capital (money and machinery) was more important than owning land.
• Trade fueled the movement and political power shifted from landowners to wealthy merchants.
• Joint Stock Companies enabled merchants to pool investments for voyages to the Americas, reducing risk and promoting economic growth.

Labor, Slavery, and Caste in the Spanish Colonial System

• Enslaved African Labor: Africans were brought to the Americas to work on sugar plantations, a practice pioneered by the Portuguese along the African coast.
• The Middle Passage: A horrific journey across the Atlantic from Africa into slavery.
• Spanish Caste System: A hierarchy in New Spain based on the mixture of Native American, European, and African ancestry.
• "Pure blooded" Spaniards held the top position.
• Various levels existed based on heritage.
• People of pure Native American and African descent were at the bottom.

Cultural Interactions in the Americas

• Spanish treatment of Native Americans was harsh and was questioned by Bartolome de Las Casas.
• New Laws of 1542: Instituted to end Native American slavery.
• Pueblo Revolt (1680): Native Americans fought back and initially succeeded against the Spanish, leading to new Spanish policies in New Spain.
• English Approach: Differed in Jamestown and Plymouth, with some Native Americans enslaved in Jamestown.
• French Approach: Viewed Native Americans as potential allies and converts to Catholicism, emphasizing the fur trade.