AP US History Unit 1

Which European country had the biggest impact on Mesoamerican and North American civilization early on?

Spain

What did Hernan Cortes find and what did the Aztecs realize?

He found a lot of gold, and the Aztecs realized that this resource which they had an abundance of was very valuable to Europeans, and traded for guns

What happened between Montezuma and Cortes?

They formed a relationship with Spain getting most of the benefits. Eventually they began fighting, and Montezuma took Cortes’s side.

What did Cortes find upon leaving and returning? What did he do after?

He found that 85% of the Aztecs had been killed by smallpox. Then he got other Native American tribes to help fight the rest of the Aztecs. They helped because of the Aztecs demanding tribute.

What technology did Europe get from the Americas?

Caravel: a new style of ship for long voyages; six sails, faster and more maneuverable; helped prevent scurvy

Astrolabe: a navigational tool using the stars to determine location; 100% accurate if used correctly

What were the Olmecs like?

They were one of the oldest known Mesoamerican tribe. They had an agricultural revolution, domesticating animals and growing crops instead of chasing food. They were also polytheistic

What were the Maya like?

They knew a lot about math and engineering, causing advancements in calendar and telling time (they had a system of time based on 60). They were eventually eradicated by European disease, enslavement and eradication, and food shortages in that order.

What were the Aztecs like?

They had a warrior culture, where the chief was the best warrior rather than the most religious. They sacrificed a lot of people and demanded tribute from other tribes (tribute = slaves, gold, land)

What were the Incas like?

They were pioneers in medicine (anesthesiology) and civil engineering (bridges). They also had mountains as natural protection, but were eventually found by Pizarro and plagued by illness

What were the Hohokam like?

They made advancements in irrigation, including proper drainage and storing of water, which were necessary due to them not getting very much water.

What were the Anasazi like?

They had Pueblo villages, which provided a natural barrier, took advantage of their surroundings, and built a strong sense of community. They were able to do this because they had an abundance of clay, and they needed these because the inside was cooled down, and it was very hot.

What were the Mississippians like?

The largest group was the Cherokee; the Mississippi River was the lifeblood of the group. They also had fertile soil, allowing them to grow corn, squash, and beans

What were the people in the Great Plains like?

They still preferred to hunt and gather and valued mobility. They used horses to get around, and had teepees, which were easy to move

What event happened concerning the Northeastern peoples?

They encountered English settlers in Jamestown in 1607