Native American History

Myth 1

Myth: North America was empty land prior to European contact. Reality: the continent of North America was inhabited by hundreds of different Native American tribes, all with different cultures, governments, religions, and technologies adapted to suit the geography where they lived. However, very shortly after the first European contact, a large percentage of the Native American population died from disease, so some of the land appeared to be empty to future European explorers

Myth 2

Myth: all the “real Indians” died off. Reality: there are still lots of Native Americans living in the United States today. They are all individuals and do not have to look or act like the stereotype of a Native American that we see in American culture in order to be a “real Indian”.

What was the Columbian Exchange? What impact did it have on the New World and Old World?

The Columbian exchange was the exchange of goods, people, animals, and ideas between the new world and old world.

The impact on the new world was a huge population shift, 90% of natives died in 100 years (disease). Livestock like horses were helped with hunting. Animals like pigs became pests.

The impact on the old world was new crops like potatoes, they are calorically dense, making their population even larger (famine and overpopulation). They got tons of raw materials like lumber, tobacco, and sugar.

The Spanish colonies

• The Spanish colonies, central and west North America, 

  • Catholic -> big on converting on natives

  • encomienda society (based on race)

  • Made money by mining for gold and other minerals & agriculture.

  • 5-7 million people in the colonies, grow & expand to stay in the colonies

The French Colonies

• The French Colonies, Louisiana perchance, Canada 

  • Business relationship with natives in order to trade

  • They didn’t want to permanently settle

  • Lumber & Furs