AP History: Native American Experience and European Exploration

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes related to Native American history and European exploration.

What was the main economic activity of the Native American village of Secotan before European contact?

Farming techniques, especially tobacco cultivation.

What significant change impacted villages like Secotan in the early 1600s?

The impact of epidemic diseases introduced by Europeans.

When did the first migrations of Native Americans across the Bering Strait occur?

Between 15,000 and 12,000 BCE.

What were the three periods of migration into North America?

15000–9000 BCE, 8000 BCE, and 5000 BCE.

Which Native American empires are mentioned in the lecture?

Aztecs and Incas.

What was a key characteristic of the cultures that developed in North America after migration?

Highly diversified cultures emerged.

What led to the decline of the Mississippian chiefdoms around 1350?

Various factors, including climate change and resource depletion.

What were two major cultural groups in the Eastern Woodlands?

Algonquian and Iroquois.

Describe the economic activities of the Pueblo Peoples in the arid Southwest.

Agriculture and complex societies.

What role did animism play in Native American spiritual beliefs?

It represented the belief that the natural world was filled with spiritual power.

What were the characteristics of the peasantry in Western Europe during the lecture period?

Land consolidation by monarchs and nobles, governed by patriarchal systems.

What were the main trade networks impacting West and Central Africa before the Atlantic Slave Trade?

Trans-Saharan trade routes and coastal trade.

What was the purpose of Native American regional and long-distance trade?

To establish networks of connections among tribes.

Which European explorer’s efforts were crucial for early Portuguese expansion?

Prince Henry the Navigator.

What was the main reason for European involvement in the African slave trade?

The demand for labor in the Americas.

What significant event occurred during Columbus's voyages?

The European discovery of the Caribbean.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Americas and Europe.

What crops were primarily introduced to the Old World from the New World?

Maize, potatoes, tobacco, and cacao.

What was one of the major diseases that impacted Native American populations post-contact?

Smallpox.

How did the Protestant Reformation challenge Spain's status in Europe?

It weakened Spain's influence as Protestant nations emerged.

What role did women play in Native American spiritual practices?

They held spiritual roles linked to earth's fertility.

Which Native American tribe was part of the Iroquois Confederacy?

The Mohawks.

What geographical feature was a primary migration route for early Native Americans?

The Bering land bridge.

What crop became a significant commodity among European settlers after the Columbian Exchange?

Tobacco.

What type of political structures were developed by some Native American groups?

Chiefdoms and confederacies.

When did the earliest Native Americans begin migrating to North America?

Circa 15,000 years ago.

What was the relationship between European exploration and the Atlantic Slave Trade?

European exploration facilitated the establishment of the slave trade.

What characterized the economic revolution in Northern and Western Europe?

Expanding trade networks and growth of commerce.

How did the introduction of horses affect Native American societies?

It transformed their hunting and agricultural practices.

What did the Aztecs and Incas share in their development?

Complex social structures and agricultural economies.

What was the primary purpose of the encomienda system in New Spain?

To control and exploit indigenous labor.

What was one of the negative consequences of the Columbian Exchange?

The spread of European diseases to the Americas.

How did Native American warfare differ from European concepts of war?

It was often more ritualistic and less focused on conquest.

What did the term 'mercantilism' refer to in the context of Spain's colonies?

An economic policy aimed at increasing state power through trade.

What types of plants were sent from Europe to the Americas during the Columbian Exchange?

Wheat, rice, and coffee.

What was the significance of the Iroquois Confederacy?

It was a sophisticated political alliance among several tribes.

What was the main occupation of the Aztecs?

Agriculture, supplemented by trade.

How did Native American gender roles compare to those in European societies?

Native societies often recognized women as key figures in spiritual and economic activities.

Which European country was the first to establish a transatlantic slave trade?

Portugal.

What was the role of trade in shaping relationships among Native American tribes?

It fostered alliances and rivalries based on resource access.

What was a significant finding from the lectures regarding Native American population prior to European contact?

About 60 million inhabiting North America in 1491.

What changes did the arrival of Europeans bring to Native American agricultural practices?

Introduction of new crops and livestock.

What were the primary causes of the decline of the Mississippi Valley civilization?

Resource depletion and climate change.

What technological advancements during the Renaissance influenced exploration?

Navigational tools and ship design.

How did Native American societies adapt to their environments?

Through diverse subsistence strategies including agriculture, hunting, and gathering.

What is the importance of trade networks in pre-Columbian Native American societies?

They allowed for the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas.

How did the role of men in Native American societies differ from traditional European views?

Men were seen as providers and protectors, but roles varied widely.

What was the relationship between European nations and African empires prior to the slave trade?

They engaged in trade, often overlooking local power dynamics.

Describe the impact of diseases on Native American populations after European contact.

Significant loss of life, demographic shifts, and cultural disruptions.