unit 1 1491-1607

How was Latin America like before colonization?

Latin America was more advanced as the Natives like Aztecs, Mayans, and Incans had cities and had structured governing through a chief. They traded a lot with each other and they were very populated and powerful

How was North American before colonization?

It was much more diverse, and Native American societies were sparser and under developed due to the slow cultivation of corn

What were the settlements?

In northwest there were fishers and hunters, in the Great Plains there were more nomadic natives due to dry weather

Why did the Europeans travel to the New world?

They traveled there because there was a competition for trade with Asia but they needed to find a different route and they discovered Asia. They wanted resources, glory, gold, and to spread religion. This was made possible from ship making advancements. European powers competed for land to colonize for power

How did each European country manage there?

The Span and Portugal colonized the New World first and split it with the Treaty of Tordesillas

England: Many people fled from England as they came to the New World to practice their own religions free from persecution. Settling down would challenge the Spain colonies. They would try to establish Roanoke island settlement but this would fail.

France: they did not settle down they only came for fur trade. They would have the best relationship with native as they were too invested in Europe affairs

How did the economy change?

With influence the economy went from Feudalism (system where a landowner grants land to a vassal in exchange for loyalty, service, and often military support) developed into capitalism. There will also be join stock companies (business backed by multiple investors)

What was the system there?

They would implement the Encomienda system: they covered labor system where Natives were given land and protection.

Asiento system: colonist pays tax per imported slave

Caste System: there was a racial hierarchy

Why were tensions rising?

They were rising because Natives were seen as inferior from Europeans and that Europeans tried to convert them and steal their land

What was the Bartolomé de las casas?

It advocated for better native rights which would institute new laws of 1542 this would end native slavery and the encomienda system but some like Juan Sepúlveda would argue that Natives were less than human

Native survival strategies

They would either ally with Europeans to survive or they would rebel keeping parts of their culture alive and rebel against captures

What was the comparison of this period?

How the Spanish and Portuguese subjugated the native the most and the French had the best relationship with natives

Spain and Portugal colonized mainly central and South America while Britain France and Netherlands settled in mother America

Stove Americans tended to be polytheistic whereas Europeans were monotheistic

What is a continuity from this period?

People wanted land and participation in trade with Asia

What is a change from this period?

Many Native American tribes and mesoamerican societies thrived prior European arrival but quickly fell to diseases and conquest

Economic systems in Europe gradually transitioned from the feudalism of the Middle Ages to the beginning of free market and capitalism

What is a causation from this period

Since the natives had no immunity from Europeans disease it severely impacted them

Desires to spread Christianity and economic gains caused Europeans to seek exploration