Early American History Study Guide

African Slave Trade

* Over 10 million Africans transported across the Atlantic
* Majority taken to Brazil and West Indies
* Largest forced migration in history
* Isolation of slaves as a distinct caste due to European involvement

Aztecs

* Founded capital city Tenochtitlan
* Expanded control over neighboring tribes
* Sophisticated societies, legal systems, farming techniques
* Aztec rulers invested with godlike qualities

Christopher Columbus

* Voyage in 1492 sponsored by Spain
* Mistakenly believed he reached India
* Unleashed wave of exploration, conquest, and settlement

Columbian Exchange

* Worldwide exchange of plants, animals, and culture
* Transformed diets and caused population explosion
* Transmission of infectious diseases

Conquistadors

* Spanish explorers and conquerors
* Sought riches and power in the New World
* Exploited, enslaved, and conquered indigenous peoples

Incans

* Large empire in South America
* Diplomacy, alliances, and conquest
* Fertile farms, interconnected roads

Mayans

* Developed cities, hierarchical government, farming techniques
* Advanced mathematics and astronomy
* Declined due to overexploitation and civil wars

Smallpox

* Deadly disease brought by Europeans
* Decimated Native American populations
* Disrupted tribal cohesion and resistance

Spanish Armada

* Spanish naval fleet defeated by English
* Marked the beginning of English naval supremacy
* Cleared the way for English colonization

Spanish Empire

* Created by Ferdinand and Isabella
* Extensive empire spanning Europe, Americas, Asia
* Shaped development of American society

Native Americans before conquest:

* Migration across Bering Strait
* Population growth, cultivation of plants
* Shift from nomadic to settled societies

Changing Factors:

* Economic, technological, political, geographic factors
* Motivated by God, Gold, Glory

Renaissance:

* Prosperity, centralization of political authority
* Advances in knowledge and technology
* Creation of nation states for exploration

Spain's Lead:

* Union of Ferdinand and Isabella
* Conquistadors' motivation for glory and wealth
* Columbus' voyages and Treaty of Tordesillas

New Territory and Cultures:

* Discovery and mapping of new lands
* Introduction to new cultures and societies
* New trade and settlement opportunities

Wealth and Expansion:

* Accumulation of wealth for European nations
* Expansionist movement that transformed the world

England:

* Strong navy and merchant marine fleet
* Joint-stock companies funded colonies
* Roanoke settlers sought gold, privateers used colonies as bases

France:

* Focused on fur trade, established outposts
* Cooperative relationships with Natives
* Smaller and dispersed population

Spain:

* Established settlements for trade, wealth, power
* Enslaved and exploited Native populations
* Large plantations using slave labor

**Jamestown, Virginia:**Established by London Company

* Challenging environment, disease, starvation
* John Smith's leadership and John Rolfe's introduction of tobacco

Maryland:

* Founded by Lord Baltimore for religious freedom
* Tolerated different religions, refuge for Catholics

Massachusetts:

* Pilgrims (Plymouth) and Puritans (Massachusetts Bay)
* Pilgrims seeking religious freedom, Plymouth Compact
* Puritans focused on creating a better society, Great Migration
* Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson challenged religious norms

Vasco de Gama (Portugal):

Exploration for trade routes, control of new trade ports

Ferdinand Magellan (Spain):

Proved Earth's roundness, sought riches and trade

Christopher Columbus (Spain):

Voyages sponsored by Spain, mistaken belief in India

Cortes (Spain):

Conquered Aztecs, sought gold and control

John Cabot (English):

Explored North American territory for England

Francisco Pizarro (Spain):

Conquered Inca Empire, gained riches and control

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo (Spain):

Explored California, established Spanish presence