History Review: North American Civilizations and European Age of Exploration

Flashcards covering key definitions, historical forces, North American civilizations, and European background leading up to the Age of Exploration.

What are historical forces and why are they important?

Historical forces are factors (such as environmental, political, social, cultural, technological, or economic) that cause change or continuity in history. They are important because they contribute to historical events and provide a framework to organize and analyze history.

How does a class system differ from a caste system?

A class system divides people into hierarchical categories where individuals have the ability to move out of their tier, whereas individuals in a caste system have no way of moving out of their tier of organization.

What was the Renaissance and what was its significance for exploration?

The Renaissance was a revived interest in ancient/secular knowledge and practices. It led to advancements in technology and politics that allowed for the exploration of the Americas.

What is Deism and what impact did it have on views of authority?

Deism is the belief that God created the universe, earth, and natural laws, but no longer interferes. It led people to believe that human governance and reason were paramount, prompting many to challenge the church and unjust authority.

What historical forces shaped North American civilizations before 1500?

Waterways, religion, and interactions (conflicts or trade) with other native groups shaped North American civilizations before 1500.

What are cultural forces, and what are examples from North American civilizations?

Cultural forces are elements like language, religion, lifestyle, customs, and traditions that cause change or continuity. Examples in North American civilizations include mound building practices, human sacrifices, temples, and burial mounds.

What are geographic/natural forces, and what are examples in North American civilizations?

Geographic/natural forces are physical features or events like rivers, flooding, pandemics, natural disasters, and mountains. Examples in North America include the Mississippi River, the Appalachian Mountains, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the Gulf of Mexico.

What were the major characteristics of the Pacific Coast people?

Major characteristics included being dependent on fishing and hunting, religiously devoted, and overpopulated.

What was Cahokia, and what is the theory regarding its demise?

Cahokia was the largest Native American regional center above Mexico. The theory about its demise is that its soil became weak due to the overcutting of trees, along with issues from flooding and earthquakes.

What disagreement do scholars have regarding the Iroquois people?

Scholars disagree over how the Iroquois people got to live in New York.

What were the six tribes of the Iroquois?

The six tribes were the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and later Tuscarora.

What does 'matrilineal' mean, and how were the Iroquois different regarding women's power?

'Matrilineal' means tracing descent through the mother's side of the family. The Iroquois differed from most Native American and European civilizations because women held power to elect or remove men from councils and lead clans.

What were the governing forces within the Iroquois nation?

The governing forces were women (leaders of longhouses and clans), chiefs of each tribe, and the 50 Sachems (chosen leaders).

What were the contributions of Johannes Gutenberg, Michelangelo, and Gerardus Mercator?

Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type; Michelangelo is regarded as the greatest artist of all time; Gerardus Mercator created the Mercantator projection to identify latitude and longitude.

What were the three major tensions in Europe prior to the Age of Exploration?

The three tensions were overpopulation, the Enclosure Act (which took farmland from peasants), and religious tension.

What were Martin Luther's main complaints with the church?

Martin Luther complained that the church was corrupt, hated indulgences (paying to go to heaven), and believed that every individual had access to God rather than just priests.

How are Humanism and Secularism defined in the notes?

Humanism was the belief that God left the world up to human rule. Secularism means to separate religion from politics, education, government, etc.

What was John Calvin's major religious belief and its impact?

John Calvin believed in predestination (that God had already elected who was going to heaven). This led to local governance of churches rather than just priests, an emphasis on working hard in everyday life, and resistance to leaders who defied God's laws.

Who were the West Countrymen and what did they do?

West Countrymen promoted migrating to the New World for less fortunate individuals to get rid of them, and they attacked the Spanish government under authorization from the British government.

How were European social classes divided between the social elite and the commoners?

The social elite made up 5% of the population (monarchs, aristocrats born into power, and gentry elected into power) and ruled major European countries. Commoners made up 95% of the population, consisting of the middling sort (farmers and shopkeepers), the lower sort (rural peasants, urban laborers, beggars), and sturdy beggars (who lost land due to the enclosure movement).