1/161
Looks like no tags are added yet.
Name | Mastery | Learn | Test | Matching | Spaced |
---|
No study sessions yet.
What role did corn play in early North American societies?
Corn was a high-yield crop that helped create a surplus of food, leading to population growth and stable, non-nomadic communities.
How long ago did corn cultivation begin in North America?
Corn cultivation began about 6,000 years ago.
How did corn contribute to the development of communities?
Corn’s ability to produce a large amount of food meant fewer people needed to hunt and gather, leading to permanent settlements and specialization.
Was corn exclusively grown in North America?
No, corn originated in North America but spread globally through the Columbian Exchange.
How did the introduction of corn impact the world?
Corn became a fundamental crop that helped sustain large populations and shaped the economies of various regions.
When did Native Americans acquire horses?
In the 17th century, when the Spanish brought them to the Americas.
How did horses change Native American culture?
Horses allowed Native Americans to hunt more effectively and gave them greater mobility, revolutionizing their way of life.
What role did horses play in farming?
Horses were used to plow fields and transport goods, increasing farming efficiency.
Which Native American tribes benefited most from horses?
Plains tribes such as the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Comanche.
Why were horses valuable for Native Americans on the Great Plains?
They allowed for increased mobility, making it easier to follow bison herds and engage in trade and warfare.
What diseases did Europeans bring to the Native Americans?
Smallpox, measles, influenza, and typhus.
What was the impact of these diseases on the Native American population?
Up to 90% of the Native American population was wiped out, leading to social collapse.
Why did diseases affect Native Americans so severely?
They had no prior exposure and therefore lacked immunity.
How did the spread of diseases impact European colonization?
It made it easier for colonizers to establish settlements without major resistance.
Was disease the only factor that led to the decline of Native American populations?
No, violence, displacement, warfare, and loss of lands also contributed.
What was the encomienda system?
A Spanish colonial labor system granting Spanish settlers control over Native American labor in exchange for protection.
How did the encomienda system affect Native Americans?
Many were forced to work in harsh conditions, leading to exploitation and death.
What was the supposed purpose of the encomienda system?
To encourage colonization and convert Native Americans to Christianity.
Was the encomienda system effective?
It was largely ineffective and led to abuse of Native populations.
Who established the encomienda system?
The Spanish crown.
What was the Columbian Exchange?
The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, technologies, and ideas between the Americas and the rest of the world.
What did the Americas contribute to the Columbian Exchange?
New crops such as corn, potatoes, and tomatoes.
How did the Columbian Exchange impact Europe?
Europe received new crops that improved nutrition and contributed to population growth.
How did the Columbian Exchange affect Africa?
It introduced new food crops that helped sustain populations.
What were the negative consequences of the Columbian Exchange?
Spread of diseases and exploitation of indigenous peoples.
What role did slavery play in the Spanish colonies?
Slavery was central to the colonial economy, with African slaves replacing dwindling Native American populations.
How did slavery impact Native American societies?
Many were enslaved, leading to death and displacement.
How did the European slave trade develop?
Demand for labor in the New World led to the transatlantic slave trade.
Was slavery practiced only in the Spanish colonies?
No, it was practiced throughout various European colonies in the Americas.
What was the long-term impact of slavery in the Americas?
It shaped social, economic, and racial structures, leading to a legacy of racial inequality.
What was the Land Bridge?
Beringia, a land stretch connecting Siberia to Alaska during the Ice Age.
How did the Land Bridge contribute to migration?
It allowed the first human inhabitants to cross from Asia into North America.
When did the Land Bridge exist?
Between approximately 20,000 and 15,000 years ago.
How did the melting of the Land Bridge affect migration?
It submerged the bridge, isolating populations in the Americas.
Is the Land Bridge theory the only explanation for human migration to the Americas?
No, other theories include coastal routes or travel by boat.
Who was Marco Polo?
An Italian explorer known for his travels to Asia and his influential accounts.
Why is Marco Polo significant in history?
His detailed descriptions of Asia sparked European interest in exploration.
What did Marco Polo do during his travels?
He traveled along the Silk Road and worked in the Mongol Empire.
How did Marco Polo’s accounts influence European exploration?
They fueled ambitions to find direct trade routes to Asia.
Did Marco Polo’s accounts influence Columbus?
Yes, Columbus was influenced by Polo’s descriptions of Asia.
Who was Ponce de León?
A Spanish explorer known for exploring Florida.
What did Ponce de León discover during his explorations?
He claimed Florida for Spain in 1513.
What was Ponce de León searching for?
The mythical Fountain of Youth and wealth.
How did Ponce de León impact Florida?
He initiated Spanish claims and colonization efforts in the region.
What was the outcome of Ponce de León’s exploration?
He was fatally wounded, but his expeditions established Spanish claims.
Who was Hernando de Soto?
A Spanish conquistador known for his expedition through the southeastern United States.
What did Hernando de Soto discover?
He was the first European to see the Mississippi River.
What were the goals of Hernando de Soto’s expedition?
To find treasure and explore new territories for Spain.
How did Hernando de Soto impact Native American populations?
His expedition led to violent confrontations and diseases that decimated local tribes.
What was the outcome of Hernando de Soto’s expedition?
It failed to find lasting wealth or settlements; De Soto died in 1542.
What was Tenochtitlan?
The capital city of the Aztec Empire.
Why was Tenochtitlan significant?
It was one of the largest and most sophisticated cities of its time.
How was Tenochtitlan designed?
Built on an island with canals for transport and a layout of grand temples and plazas.
What happened to Tenochtitlan after the Spanish arrived?
It fell to Spanish conquistadors in 1521 after a brutal siege.
How did Tenochtitlan influence later societies?
Its advanced engineering influenced future urban planning in the Americas.
Who was Hernán Cortés?
A Spanish conquistador responsible for conquering the Aztec Empire.
How did Hernán Cortés destroy the Aztec Empire?
By forming alliances, capturing Montezuma, and waging warfare.
What were Cortés’s motivations?
Desire for wealth, glory, and territory for Spain.
How did the Aztec emperor Montezuma react to Cortés’s arrival?
He initially welcomed Cortés, believing him to be a god.
What was the long-term impact of Cortés’s conquest?
It marked the start of Spanish dominance in Central America.
Who was Montezuma?
The ninth emperor of the Aztec Empire.
How did Montezuma respond to the arrival of Cortés?
He welcomed him, which led to his eventual capture.
What led to the fall of Montezuma?
His hostage situation eroded his power and influence, leading to his death.
What was Montezuma’s role in the Aztec Empire?
He was a religious and political leader at the peak of the empire.
How did Montezuma’s death affect the Aztec Empire?
It contributed to the collapse of the empire.
Who was Christopher Columbus?
An Italian navigator who completed four voyages across the Atlantic.
What were Columbus’s goals during his voyages?
To find a westward sea route to Asia.
What did Columbus discover during his voyages?
He discovered the Caribbean islands, although he thought he reached Asia.
How did Columbus's discoveries impact Europe?
They initiated a new era of exploration and colonization.
Was Columbus’s legacy entirely positive?
No, his actions also led to exploitation and destruction of indigenous cultures.
Who were King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella?
The Catholic monarchs of Spain who sponsored Columbus's voyages.
Why did they fund Columbus’s voyage?
To find a direct trade route to Asia and spread Christianity.
What was their role in expanding Spanish power?
They united their kingdoms and initiated overseas exploration.
How did they shape Spanish colonial policies?
By authorizing conversion efforts and maintaining tight control over colonies.
What legacy did they leave in history?
Their reign marked the beginning of Spanish global dominance.
What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?
An agreement between Spain and Portugal to divide newly discovered lands.
Why was the treaty needed?
To prevent conflict between Spain and Portugal over territorial claims.
How were the lands divided?
An imaginary line was drawn, granting Spain lands west and Portugal lands east.
What were the consequences of the treaty?
It legitimized Spanish claims to the Americas and began formal imperialism.
Did the treaty affect other European countries?
No, other nations did not recognize the treaty.
What are Mestizos?
People of mixed European and Native American ancestry.
Why did the Mestizo population emerge in colonial Mexico?
Due to Spanish intermarriage with indigenous peoples.
How were Mestizos viewed in colonial society?
They were above Native peoples but below pure-blooded Spaniards.
What role did Mestizos play in colonial society?
They served in various roles and helped shape the culture of colonial Latin America.
What is the legacy of the Mestizo population today?
They represent a blending of indigenous and European heritage in Latin America.
Who were the Mound Builders?
Native American cultures known for building large earthen mounds.
Where did the Mound Builders live?
The Ohio River Valley and southeastern United States.
What was the purpose of the mounds?
For religious rituals, burials, and elite dwellings.
How were the Mound Builders affected by agriculture?
Maize cultivation allowed for larger settlements and complex societies.
What happened to the Mound Builder civilizations?
They mysteriously declined before European contact.
What was the Spanish Armada?
A fleet sent by Spain in 1588 to invade England.
Why did Spain launch the Armada?
To stop English support for Protestant rebels and restore Catholicism.
What happened during the Armada’s invasion?
The English navy defeated the Armada using smaller ships and tactics.
What was the outcome of the battle?
The Spanish Armada was defeated and marked the decline of Spanish naval power.
What was the significance of the Armada’s defeat?
It established England as a rising naval power.
Who were the Conquistadores?
Spanish soldiers and explorers who led military expeditions in the Americas.
What were the goals of the Conquistadores?
To acquire wealth, land, and convert indigenous peoples to Christianity.
Which empires did they conquer?
Aztec Empire and Inca Empire.
What tactics did they use?
Superior weaponry, alliances with local enemies, and exploitation of rivalries.
How did the Conquistadores impact the Americas?
They ended indigenous civilizations and initiated Spanish colonization.