Time Period 1

Time Period 1 (1491-1607):

(Historical context summary) This time period started in 1492 when Christopher Columbus sailed out to the sea. He ended up landing in the Bahamas where he found Native Americans. These people lived in domestic areas relying on farming which allowed them to grow their large population. As Christopher started to arrive, this land became known as “The New World”. This led to the Columbian Exchange where goods from the new world were brought back to the old world and vice versa. It not only transported goods but also, ideas, plants, disease, animals, and people. After finding this new land the doctrine of discovery was soon established and still is in use today. The doctrine of discovery led by Pope Alexander VI granted significant land to Spain after Portugal's discovery of the new world. This doctrine legalized the influence of Christian religion on colonial conquest over the new land. Europe soon started to want to take control over this new land and Spain, England, and France did so. As they established the “Europe Mercantile System” (an economic system)which brought goods from the new world over to Europe due to high supply demand. In Europe for example fur was popular in France, tobacco was the English demand and Spain worked with gold and silver This led to countries establishing joint stock companies which were economic partnerships. While all this was happening in the new world, there were indigenous people living on these lands. Spanish conquistadors and other leaders decided to establish the Encomienda system which was basically a labor system which granted conquistadors the ability to take over land from indigenous communities in return for religious freedom; it served as the blueprint for slavery and the need for African American labor. It was a way to control the indigenous population. There were harsh working treatments which led to the decline in population. Exposure to disease such as smallpox from the old world was very deadly to the natives and Spaniards had to continue to colonize for laborers. These natives through this system were also used as a form of tribute in place for gold and silver. Lastly the Triangle Trade started to form between Europe, Africa, and the new world. The triangle trade allowed European traders to partner with some West African groups who practiced slavery to forcibly extract labor for North America.

(6 key terms,two people, two events, two ideas) Columbian Exchange: Brought new crops to Europe from the Americas, led to European population growth. New commodities created a capitalist system based on supply demand. Europeans exert dominance over the native population eventually exploiting forced labor and resources. Discovery of the new world, animals, plants, disease and more. Italian explorer Chirstopher Columbus sailing for Spain, discovered the new world, originally wanted to find a route west to Asia from Europe ended up landing in the Bahamas. At first though he reached the indies. He later made the journey again 3 times. 1492 he sailed the ocean blue. He wrote a letter describing his voyage. The Doctrine Discovery stated that any land not inhabited by Christians was available to be “discovered”, claimed and exploited by Christian rulers and declared the christian religion to be exalted and be everywhere increased and spread. Encomienda System Established: Under the encomienda system, conquistadors and other leaders (encomenderos) received grants of a number of Indians, from whom they could exact “tribute” in the form of gold or labor. The encomenderos were supposed to protect and Christianize the Indians granted to them, but they most often used the system to effectively enslave the Indians and take their lands. Pope Alexander VI: established the doctrine of discovery and granted Portuguese discovery to Spain as well as making it legal for christian leaders to have an influence on the new land and convert. The Triangle Trade: After the new world was found many goods were being transported from place to place, from Europe to Africa and to the new world. Bartolome de las Casas- Spanish priest who advocated for better treatment for Native Americans he criticized the encomienda system and Spanish cruelty. His writings helped spark debates about human rights and Colonial practices. Native Resistance: Native resistance was when the Natives were fighting against the settlers. The Native Americans actually had a good chance at winning and fighting back against settlers, but because of the Colombian exchange of diseases that Native Americans had never been exposed to, they were wiped out.

(source work) “The columbian exchange”, In the text the Columbian exchange one main idea and thesis that the author kept repeating was how the people of the Old World formed an environment contrast as soon as they arrived in the new world through disease, animals, and plants. EX: “All this had nothing to do with superiority or inferiority of biosystems in any absolute sense. It has to do with environmental contrasts” “A critique of the Slave Trade", Historical Context: As the British arrived in America almost right away did they start enslaving the Indians and taking control over them. While no one notices the horrific way these slaves were being treated, many were selling one another because they were considered uncivilized and savage. Still, slaves were sold and used as workers for trade. POV: The author point of view toward the article is criticizing the way slaves are treated and how blind people are towards them. Many are sold, and have no say in anything. One quote that shows the author point of view is, “And no one is horrified that these people are ill-treating and selling one another, because they are considered uncivilized and savage. In addition to the pretext, of parents selling their children as a last resort, there is the bestial practice of selling them without any necessity to do so, and very often through anger or passion, for some displeasure or disrespect they have shown them.