AP US History Unit 1

What is the US described as?

A synthesis of international people

What characterized Cultural Diversity within Americas before Columbus

Existing cultures varied significantly

What were some motives for European exploration in the Americas?

Spreading Christianity and Competition for Land

What did European explorers do to gain wealth in the Americas

Operated gold and silver mines along with plantations

Transatlantic Exchange (Colombian Exchange)

Trade of animals, plants, and germs

Why did enslaved Africans come to America

Low cost labor

Who was the wealthiest European empire during this time

Spanish Empire

Where did the Mayas build their civilizations

Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize)

Aztec Empire Capital

Tenochtitlan

Population of Tenochtitlan

200,000

What crop did the Incas use

Potatoes

Patterns of North American Cultures

Fewer people, less complicated social structures

Some Native American Language Families

Algonquian, Siouan, Athabaskan

How many language families among Natives

20 language families, 400 languages

Southwest Settlement Characterizations

Lived in Caves, Cliffs and used irrigation

Location: Northwest Settlement Characterizations

Alaska and Northern California

Food: Northwest Settlement Characterizations

Fish, game, nuts, berries

Characteristics of Great Plains Tribes and what they acquired in 17th century

Hunted Buffalo, acquired Horses from Spanish

Largest Mississippi River Settlement

Cahokia

Cahokia Population

30,000

Characterizations of Northeast Settlements: Origin

Descended from Adena Hopewell

Characterizations of Northeast Settlements: Politics and Battles

Formed Iroquois Confederation, fought rivals

Characterization of Atlantic Seaboard Settlements

Cherokee, Lumbee, descended from Woodland

Overall diversity

Very diverse

Who brought contact across the Atlantic

Columbus

Why did sailing become more desirable in the late 15th century

Changes in thought and technology

Key changes during Renaissance: Non innovations

Rebirth of Classical Learning, use of artistic and scientific activity

Key changes during the renaissance: Innovations

Gunpowder (China), Compass (Arab), Printing Press

Who dominated Western Europe for centuries

Pope

What did the ottoman Turks threaten in 15th century

Popes authority

What was the reconquista

Reconquest of Spain from Moors

Who funded Columbus

Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand

What event in 1500s happened regarding Northern European Christians

Revolution against the Pope

What was the Protestant reformation

Revolt against Pope by Northern European Christians

Who did competition for trade grow with

Africa, India, China

Who blocked the Asian land route in 1453

The ottomans

Who funded efforts to use sea route to Asia

Henry the navigator

Who used Henry’s sea route

Vasco de Gama

What did the Portuguese trade for in the 15th century

Enslaved West Africans

What were enslaved West Africans used for in the 15th century

Sugar plantations

How did European Kingdoms evolve

Became nation states

What was the role of Western European monarchs in the Americas

Spread Christianity and claim land

What treaty moved the territory line between Spain and Portugal in 1494

Treaty of Tordesillas

How long did Columbus spend on getting financial support

8 years

When Columbus traveled to Bahamas, where did he start?

Canary Islands

What economic system replaced Feudalism in this period

Capitalism

Who was the explorer that journeyed across the Pacific Ocean?


Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Which conquistador is known for the conquest of the Aztecs?


Hernan Cortez

Who conquered the Incas?


Francisco Pizarro

What did conquistadores send back to Spain from Mexico and Peru?


Gold and silver

What system did the Spanish use to force labor on natives?


Encomienda system

What was the asiento system used for?


To trade for Africans by taxing imports

What percentage of slaves died during the Middle Passage?


10-15%

What is the Spanish caste system hierarchy?


• Top: Pure blooded Spaniards

• Middle: Europeans/Natives/Africans

• Bottom: Indian/Black

How did Europeans treat Native Americans?


They exploited them

Who persuaded the King for the New Laws of 1542?


Bartolome de las Casas

What was the purpose of the New Laws of 1542?


To end Indian slavery

What was the impact of European diseases on the indigenous population?


It reduced their population

How did the English initially interact with Native Americans?


They coexisted and traded ideas

What did American Indians teach the English?


To grow corn and hunt

What did the English do to Native American land?


They took over their land

How did the French treat Native Americans?


They had a good relationship

What did the French trade with Native Americans?


Fur and beaver belts

Who did the French assist against the Iroquois?


The Huron people

What were the survival strategies of Native Americans?


• Allied with some European powers

• Migrated away from conflict

What cultural contributions did Africans bring to America?


Music, such as the banjo

What justification did Europeans use for slavery?


The Bible