APUSH Unit 1

What is the significance of 1492 in American history?

1492 marks the year Christopher Columbus reached the Americas, initiating contact between Europe and the New World.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World after 1492.

What were the primary motivations for European exploration in the 15th century?

The primary motivations included the search for new trade routes, the desire for wealth, religious conversion, and competition among European powers.

Who were the Spanish Conquistadors?

Spanish Conquistadors were explorers and soldiers who led military expeditions in the Americas, conquering territories and indigenous populations.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was an agreement between Spain and Portugal that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe.

What was the impact of disease on Native American populations?

Diseases brought by Europeans, such as smallpox, devastated Native American populations, leading to significant declines in their numbers.

What role did slavery play in the colonization of the Americas?

Slavery was integral to the economy of the Americas, particularly in plantation agriculture, creating a system of forced labor for economic gain.

What were the main characteristics of the Spanish colonial system?

The Spanish colonial system included the encomienda system, missionary efforts, and the establishment of a rigid caste system based on race.

What was the significance of the Virginia Company?

The Virginia Company was a joint-stock company that established the Jamestown colony in 1607, the first permanent English settlement in America.

How did the Protestant Reformation influence early American colonization?

The Protestant Reformation prompted religious dissenters to seek refuge in the New World, leading to the establishment of colonies like Plymouth.