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American History Native Americans European Exploration Early America

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These notes discuss Native American societies before European colonization and detail the exploration and colonization of the Americas by various European powers. It covers key historical events and figures related to early American history and explores topics like the Columbian Exchange and the development of social structures and inequalities. Includes information about different cultures and groups that contributed to the development of the Americas.

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Native American Societies America was originally uninhabited; Paleo-Indians arrived in North America around 16,000 years ago, likely not the first. As the climate warmed, nomadic groups migrated and settled, leading to farming cultures by 7000 BCE, cultivating crops like...

Native American Societies America was originally uninhabited; Paleo-Indians arrived in North America around 16,000 years ago, likely not the first. As the climate warmed, nomadic groups migrated and settled, leading to farming cultures by 7000 BCE, cultivating crops like maize, beans, and squash. Major Civilizations: Aztecs (Mexica): Tenochtitlan was the capital; known for written language, complex irrigation, and human sacrifices for fertile land. Mayans: In the Yucatan Peninsula; developed irrigation, water storage, and stone temples. Incas: In the Andes with a vast empire of 16M people, organized with roads, irrigation, and successful agriculture (e.g., potatoes). All three civilizations cultivated maize, a vital crop, which spread into North America. Pueblo: Lived in New Mexico/Arizona; sedentary farmers and masons with organized societies. Other Civilizations: Great Plains: Nomadic hunters and gatherers. Pacific Northwest: Fishers, hunters (elk), lived in longhouses. Mississippi River Valley: Mixed agriculture and hunting; large civilizations with trade networks; notable groups include Hopewell and Cahokia. Iroquois: Lived in Northeast America; grew maize, beans, squash; lived in longhouses. European Exploration of America Driven by population growth, political unity, desire for luxury goods, and fear of Muslim control over trade routes. Navigation improved with tools like the astrolabe and compass. Portugal: Led by Prince Henry the Navigator, created sea trade routes around Africa. Dominated trade with advanced ships and the "Trading Post Empire." Spain: After uniting, Spain focused on exploration for resources and spreading Christianity. Christopher Columbus: Sailed west in 1492, landing in the Caribbean, mistakenly thinking it was Asia. His arrival led to Spanish exploitation of native peoples, triggering further exploration and conquest. France Samuel de Champlain settled in Canada (Quebec) More interested in trade than conquest Mostly catholic settlers ○ Protestant Huguenot not allowed to settle Got along better with other natives because they didn't need as much land and were more respectfful Jesuit missionaries are embedded in communities, so conversions were greater ○ Better than Fransiscans, hurt by Spanish labor laws Traded beaver pelts along with the Dutch ○ Dutch has Henry Hudson, who settled in modern NY, naming it new amsterdam England Wanted economic prospects and religious freedom The London Company founded Jamestown, the first settlement ○ Not good environment, made colony struggle a lot ○ Captain John Smith captured by the Powhatans, released by Pocohontas ○ Farmed tobacco, although against King’s rule ○ indentured servants were imported to Jamestown Pilgrims led by William Bradford settled in Massachusetts for religious freedom ○ Indians like Samoset and Squanto helped set up colony and self sustained Eventually absorbed into the Massachusetts Bay Colony ○ Formed by puritans who were unhappy with the religious situation in ENgland ○ John Winthrop established the colony for specific puritan freedom is nothing else ○ Anne Hutchinson challenged the teachings of the colony, later expelled and established Rhode Island Roger Williams as well Thomas Hooker and John Davenport founded Connecticut Calvert family, sponsored by King Charles I, founded Maryland ○ Refuge for catholics ○ Plantation dominated economy A group of aristocrats settled in Carolina, which later split up into northern and southern ○ Plantation dominated economy The need for labor in the south led to the atlantic slave trade Gradually turned to self governance The Columbian Exchange Goods from Americas to Europe: Maize, potatoes, tomatoes, cacao. Goods from Europe/Africa to Americas: Rice, wheat, citrus fruits, livestock. Diseases like smallpox devastated native populations, aiding European conquest. This exchange led to European wealth, the decline of feudalism, and the rise of capitalism. Enslavement of Native Americans and Africans became widespread, with Africans forcibly transported via the Middle Passage. Caste System Developed: 1. Peninsulares (Spanish born in Spain) 2. Criollos (Spanish born in America) 3. Mestizos (Spanish-Native mix) 4. Mulattoes (Spanish-African mix) 5. Natives and enslaved Africans at the bottom. Interactions Between Continents European missionaries aimed to convert natives to Christianity through the Mission System. Natives were animists and viewed land as communal, contrasting European Catholicism and private land ownership. Cultural Exchange: Natives adopted guns, horses, and metal tools from Europeans; some converted to Christianity. The Pueblo Revolt: A rebellion against Spanish rule and forced conversion, successfully ousted the Spanish for 12 years before they retook control. European Philosophy Debate in Europe about the morality of conquests. Most viewed natives as inferior, but some, like Bartolome de las Casas, defended their dignity and argued against forced conversion and labor, suggesting Africans replace Native Americans in labor systems. Colonial life Death rate was high Population grew rapidly as the settlement becomes larger and self sustaining Rejected immigrants like germans Women in the colonies were told to obey their husbands and take care at home ○ Never had the same rights of men (voting, participating, etc) ○ Prostitution was a big thing Elizabeth Lucas Pickney inherited a plantation from her father, signaling to other women that they can be independent South Slavery was big in the south as they relied on plantations Wealth inequality worsened as the south developed Cash crops were vital and eventually embedded in southern economy New England Puritans who controlled the settlements created town with a church and equity Fishing was part of daily life and diet, as they were used to fish in england Ship building became major in the economy Scots/Irish, Germans, Jews, and other ethnic groups settled in the middle colonies Race based slavery Deep rooted prejudice led to race based slavery, making africans inferior to whites African slaves were concentrated in the south to work on cash crop plantations The triangular trade system connecting all 3 continents further increased slave importation In northern states like NY, slaves lived in cities As the slave population increased, tensions grew ○ Slave codes were created to regulate and control slaves Slaves sometimes rose against their owners ○ Stono Rebellion in South Carolina was the biggest uprising ○ This created stricter slave codes Enlightenment and Great Awakening Printing press and better education created a more creative and intelligent society The attitudes of the enlightenment were transported across the trade routes Isaac Newton’s discoveries cultivated the belief that reason could improve society Ben Franklin believe that people could shape their own destinies, which became the foundation of America The Great Awakening, a rebirth of religion, swept the colonies where christian had to be “reborn” ○ Individualism was taking over America, replacing orthodoxy, the idea of generally accepted practice among everyone The Enlightenment brought new ideas of reason and science, while the Great Awakening emphasized religious revival and individualism. Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in both movements

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