APUSH Period 1 (1491-1607): Chapter 1

What civilizations existed in the Americas prior to European contact?

Advanced societies like the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans.

What was the population of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan?

About 200,000, equivalent to the largest cities of Europe.

What was a major crop cultivated by the Mayas and Aztecs?

Corn (maize).

What was one of the technological advances that facilitated European exploration?

The invention of the compass.

What religious conflict arose in Europe during the Renaissance?

The Protestant Reformation.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

An agreement that divided the New World between Spain and Portugal.

Who conquered the Aztecs in Mexico?

Hernan Cortes.

What settlement did the Spanish establish in North America in 1565?

St. Augustine.

What was the significance of the Columbian Exchange?

It facilitated the transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and ideas between the Old World and the New World.

Which empire did Samuel de Champlain establish?

The first permanent French settlement in America at Quebec.

What were the encomienda system and its purpose?

A system where Spanish settlers were granted land and the labor of Native Americans.

Why did the English not establish large settlements initially in America?

They settled in areas without large native empires.

What was Bartolome de Las Casas known for?

Advocating for better treatment of Native Americans.

What were the primary motivations for European exploration?

Gold, God, Glory, and the desire for new trade routes.

What event in 1588 affected English colonization of the Americas?

The defeat of the Spanish Armada by the British.

What type of interactions did the French maintain with Native Americans?

Generally good relations, seeking furs and converts to Catholicism.

What were the consequences of European diseases on Native Americans?

A mortality rate of more than 90 percent, leading to the death of entire tribal communities.

What was the initial English approach to American Indians in Massachusetts?

They coexisted, traded, and shared ideas before conflicts arose.

Who was Christopher Columbus financed by for his 1492 voyage?

The Spanish monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand.

What were the primary crops raised by sedentary tribes on the Great Plains?

Corn (maize), beans, and squash.

What was the impact of Spanish colonization on Native American societies?

Warfare, disease, and displacement from their lands.

What was the role of the Spanish Missions in the Americas?

Spanish Missions aimed to spread Christianity and assimilate Native Americans into Spanish culture.

What crop was introduced to Europe as a result of the Columbian Exchange?

Potatoes, which became a staple food in Europe.

Who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Inca Empire?

Francisco Pizarro.

What were the primary areas of settlement for the French in North America?

The St. Lawrence River valley and the Great Lakes area.

What was the mercantilism economic policy followed by European powers?

An economic theory where colonies existed to benefit the mother country, primarily through trade.

How did the fur trade impact Native American societies?

It led to increased alliances and conflicts among tribes due to European demand for fur.

What was one consequence of the Spanish colonization efforts in the Americas?

The cultural blending of Spanish and Native American traditions.

What economic system was utilized in colonial America for labor?

The system of indentured servitude, where individuals worked for a period in exchange for passage to America.

What impact did the Protestant Reformation have on colonization efforts?

It spurred religious dissenters to seek new opportunities in the New World.

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

It established a self-governing agreement among the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony.