ACP American History LAP 1 Quiz

How did the first Americans get to the Americas?

They followed the herds of animals over the Bering Strait, from Asia to Alaska

When did they arrive? Why?

15,000 years ago, during the Ice Age. They were following herds of animals for food.

What determined the lifestyles of Natives in the Western Hemisphere?

The natives had to adapt to different climates

Production of what product most revolutionized life in the early Americas?

Corn/ maize

Causes: Describe the three major reasons for European exploration

1. God → The ability to spread and convert natives to Christianity. Replace Islam as the dominant religion

2. Gold → The opportunity for gold, silver, and other precious metals/stones influenced people to come to the New World. Everybody wants to be rich.

3. Glory → Show off their power and wealth by exploring and conquering other people. Make themselves look better than everyone else.

Tech: Name four new tools which helped Europeans to explore.

1. Magnetic compass and Astrolabe

2. Steering rudder

3. Ships like the Caravel

4. Maps (used #1 to help make)

How did the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) impact exploration of the Americas?

It gave Spain possession of all of the Americas, excluding Brazil, which was given to Portugal. Spain kept its major hold on the Americas and began to explore north. England and France rejected the Treaty because they were included, which caused them to find new paths to the Americas.

In the Americas, where did the Spanish focus their exploration, why?

They tried North America, but didn’t find any gold. Focused on Central and South America because of its gold and silver, its population they used for forced labor on sugar plantations, and the opportunity for conversion.

Co-op: How did the Col. Exchange impact Europeans + Natives (products…/ effects)

Europeans: Expanded Old World diets which led to population growth, more specialization back home.

Natives: Disease (Black plague wiped out 1/3 of pop), Europeans stole land and resources, forced conversion. Gained livestock (most important- horses), gained more crops.

Conflict: Contrast Spanish, French, English interactions with Natives

Spanish:

French:
English:

Conflict: List several conflicts/ how were Natives defeated by Europeans?

Disease, forced labor and conversion, won warfare due to better technology (horses, wheels, g*ns)

Consequences: How were Native cultures and societies impacted by contact (3+)?

1. Loss of life (diseases)

2. Loss of land (stolen)

3. Loss of culture (converted)

Labor terms: headright systems and indentured servants

Headright system- Land distribution system where settlers were granted 50 acres for themselves and an addition 50 acres for every head (person) they brought to the colony

Indentured servants- Servants taken from Africa to the New World who signed a contract to work without pay for a set time (4-7 years) in exchange for access to the New World, clothes, shelter, and food.

Settlement issues: How did tobacco/ head-rights impact settlement in Virginia?

The colonists had to keep up with labor to take care of tobacco, so most of the population was forced laborers brought from Africa. These servants weren’t paid, instead they were given transport to the New World.

Economic issues: Because of tobacco, how were labor shortages solved after 1619?

The need for labor to maintain tobacco plants was fulfilled by immigrants (indentured servants) taken from Africa and sent to the Americas by Europe. This gave the colonists the ability to force them to work without payment, instead receiving passage to the New World.

Native relations: Describe early Anglo- Native relations in Virginia (conflict+ co-op)

Conflict:

Co-op:

Location issues: How was the climate an issue for settlers in Jamestown (effect)?

The swampy climate increased the rate of disease, especially malaria, and death

Social issues: What was the effect on Virginia’s population of its male majority?

Due to the poor climate, disease (malaria) and death was very likely, so the colony relied on immigration for population growth. Immigrants were most young men to keep up with labor, so marriage and childbirth was very rare.

Labor term: Middle Passage (+ and describe characteristics)-

8 week long journey from Africa to the Americas. Africans were forced into tight spaces below deck and piled on top of each other. Suffered from diseases, physical abuse, lack of ventilation and water, unsanitary conditions, and smell of vomit and blood.

Economic issues: What was the impact of poor soil on New England’s economy?

New England didn’t rely on cash crops like Jamestown. N.E. had a more diverse economy, so unlike Jamestown and its dependence on tobacco, there was much less of a chance for the economy to crash if a bad winter killed crops.

Economic issues: With a more diverse economy, what was the effect on labor?

The didn’t rely on immigration for labor, instead they kept it in the family.

Settlement issues: With no cash crops, how were MA settlement patterns different?

Gathered in small towns rather than dispersed settlement. Towns made up of young families who would pick a town and stay for generations.

Native relations: Describe Anglo- Native relations in New England-

Social issues: How did a healthy climate and stable families affect Plymouth?

The healthy climate decreased the risk for disease, and as a result, death. This partnered with stable families, gave Plymouth the ability to have very stable population growth, and they didn’t have to rely on immigration.

Contrast the goal of settlers in New England and in Virginia-