USHISTORY Chapter 1

Test #1 Prep

Conquistadors

Spanish or Portuguese soldiers/explorers who conquered Indigenous empires and claimed land for Spain or Portugal

Creation accounts – why they survived

Preserved through oral tradition, later written down; too important to cultural identity to be erased despite colonial efforts

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis–Deuteronomy); history of the Israelites — creation

Maya (key characteristics)

Built advanced civilization, had writing and calendar systems, lived long due to water access, grew and ate maize

What led to the decline of the Maya civilization?

massive drought, along with warfare and overpopulation

Popol Vuh

The Mayan “Book of the People,” tells their history and creation story; shows humans made from maize, which was sacred

Aztecs/Mexica (key characteristics)

Migrated from Aztlán, settled on Lake Texcoco, built Tenochtitlán, highly organized society with strong military and religious rituals

Why did the Aztecs/Mexica believe in human sacrifice?

Believed the Gods needed human life given to God (the most precious gift) to sustain the universe and keep the world running

Cherokee (key characteristics)

Originally lived in northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada; matrilineal and matrilocal (women held power over homes and fields); Europeans viewed them as “uncivilized”

Iroquois (key characteristics)

Lived in small summer villages growing maize, migrated after harvest to follow food sources; had high infant mortality

How should historians approach religious documents like creation accounts?

As stories that reveal a culture’s beliefs about gods, nature, and human purpose, not as literal science

What is comparative textual analysis?

Comparing multiple texts to see similarities/differences; helps understand different cultures’ beliefs and values

What value does comparative textual analysis have outside of school?

Builds empathy, helps understand different worldviews, useful for global communication and resolving conflicts

Example: Indigenous creation account

Popol Vuh shows maize is sacred and humans are connected to nature and the gods; reveals a close relationship between humans and the natural world

Charles Darwin and science – why creation accounts remain strong

Even with scientific theories like evolution, creation accounts provide meaning, purpose, and cultural identity that science cannot replace

Genesis (Torah, Book of Moses)

Creation account in the Hebrew Bible; important for comparing Western religious views with Indigenous stories

Factors leading Western Europe to colonize the Americas

Economic (gold, trade), religious (spread Christianity), political (rivalries, glory for monarchs), and technological (better ships and navigation)