APUSH Unit 1 (2)

What significant geological event occurred 225 million years ago?

The formation of Pangaea, a supercontinent containing all the world's dry land.

When did the Rockies and Coastal Ranges begin to form?

About 70 million years ago.

What is the estimated time of human arrival in North America?

15,000 to 16,000 years ago.

What major climatic event began 2.6 million years ago?

The Great Ice Age.

When did the glaciers from the Ice Age retreat?

About 10,000 years ago.

What year did Christopher Columbus make his discovery of the Americas?

1492

In what year was Virginia founded?

1607

What year did the United States declare independence?

1776

What major global conflict ended in 1945?

World War II.

What began in 1945 and lasted for several decades?

The Cold War.

What significant geological feature is located in the northeastern corner of North America?

The Canadian Shield.

What evidence supports the theory of continental drift?

The discovery of nearly identical species of fish in long-separated freshwater lakes.

What was the impact of the glaciers on the Canadian Shield?

They scoured away topsoil, creating shallow depressions that formed lakes.

What is the significance of Lake Bonneville in North American geography?

It was a large lake that covered much of present-day Utah, Nevada, and Idaho, now mostly evaporated.

What does the term 'Bering Land Bridge' refer to?

A land bridge that connected Eurasia and North America during the Ice Age.

What led to the isolation of the early Americans from the rest of the world?

The rising sea levels that submerged the Bering Land Bridge about 10,000 years ago.

What is the name of the supreme god in the Apache origin tale?

Yi-Na-yes-gon-I.

What was the primary method of migration for early peoples to the Americas?

They likely crossed the Bering Land Bridge following migratory herds.

What was the geological state of North America about 10 million years ago?

The basic geological shape of North America was sculpted.

What did the Ice Age glaciers contribute to the Great Lakes?

The glaciers scooped out and filled the Great Lakes.

What did Christopher Columbus claim about the Americas in 1498?

He believed it was a mighty continent that was hitherto unknown.

What is the significance of the year 3500 B.C.E. in human history?

It marks the development of the first systems of writing in some Middle Eastern societies.

What did Columbus's report reveal to Europeans?

Lands and peoples previously unimagined lay beyond the horizon of Europe's western sea.

What notable terms did sixteenth-century Europeans use to describe the New World?

Terms like 'Land of Giants' (Regio Gigantum) and 'cannibals' (Canibali) were used.

How did misconceptions about geography affect European exploration?

Misconceptions influenced further exploration and settlement patterns in the Americas.

What were the consequences of the New World's existence for Europe?

Implications for literature, art, politics, economy, and cartography.

What inaccuracies did early maps of the Americas contain?

They included gross geographic inaccuracies, such as the location of Japan relative to North America.

How did the first Americans migrate to the continent?

They traveled through ice-free valleys from Siberia to South America over fifteen thousand miles.

What was the estimated Native American population in 1492?

Approximately 54 million people inhabited the two American continents.

What advanced civilizations existed in the Americas before European contact?

The Incas in Peru, Mayans in Central America, and Aztecs in Mexico.

What agricultural practice was central to the civilizations of the Americas?

The cultivation of maize (Indian corn) which fed large populations.

What was the significance of corn to Native American societies?

Corn was the staff of life and the foundation of complex civilizations like the Aztecs and Incas.

What farming technique did the southeastern tribes develop?

Three-sister farming, which involved growing corn, beans, and squash together.

What characterized the Mound Builders of the Ohio River Valley?

They constructed enormous earthen monuments serving as temples, town squares, and burial sites.

What was Cahokia, and what was its significance?

A Mississippian settlement that was home to as many as twenty-five thousand people and featured a central mound.

What led to the decline of the Anasazi culture?

Prolonged drought contributed to their decline by about 1300 C.E.

What was the role of the Haudenosaunee League in North America?

It created a political and social structure that approximated the great empires of Mexico and Peru.

What was the impact of climate change on Native American settlements?

Flooding and deforestation possibly devastated settlements like Cahokia between 1100 C.E. and 1300 C.E.

How did Native American societies vary across the continent?

They ranged from urban dwellers in Mexico to nomadic hunter-gatherers in Canada.

What was the significance of the Pueblo peoples in the Rio Grande Valley?

They constructed intricate irrigation systems and lived in multistoried, terraced buildings.

What was the main source of food for many Native American cultures?

Maize, along with other crops like beans and squash, provided a rich diet.

What was the cultural diversity of Native American societies?

They included various tribes with distinct histories, traditions, and economies.

What was the significance of maize cultivation in North America?

It became a staple crop that supported complex societies and high population densities.

What was the role of human sacrifices in Aztec culture?

They were performed to seek favor from the gods, often involving captives from battles.

What did the term 'corn culture' refer to?

The centrality of corn to Native American peoples, illustrated by artifacts like the corn goddess statue.

What was the Iroquois Confederacy known for?

The Iroquois Confederacy developed political and organizational skills to sustain a robust military alliance that threatened its neighbors.

What were the primary ways of life for Native American groups in North America?

Native American groups lived in sedentary, permanent villages or roamed in search of game, fish, and buffalo, depending on the region.

What agricultural practices were common among Native American groups?

Many Native American groups relied heavily on agriculture, with women tending crops and men hunting and gathering.

What cultural system did many Native American groups, including the Iroquois, develop?

Many Native American groups developed matrilineal cultures, where power and possessions passed down the female line.

What was the impact of trade among Native American groups?

Trade spread exotic goods such as shells, copper, silver, and pottery across the continent.

How did Native American cultures view the natural environment?

Many Native American cultures expressed strong reverence for nature, often endowing the physical world with spiritual properties.

What was one method Native Americans used to manage their environment?

Many Native Americans used fire as a tool to create better hunting habitats by intentionally burning areas of land.

What significant event occurred in 1492 regarding Native Americans?

In 1492, the historic isolation of the Americas ended as European explorers began to arrive, impacting the land and its native peoples.

What was the significance of the Norse seafarers in relation to the Americas?

Norse seafarers from Scandinavia reached North America around 1000 C.E. but did not establish lasting settlements.

What role did Christian crusaders play in the indirect discovery of the Americas?

Christian crusaders developed a taste for exotic goods from Asia, which later fueled European interest in exploration and trade.

What were some goods that Europeans craved after the Crusades?

Europeans craved silk, spices, perfumes, and other luxury items from Asia.

What challenges did early European traders face in acquiring Asian goods?

Goods had to be transported long distances, often through many hands, making them expensive and their origins mysterious.

What was the population estimate of Native Americans in 1492?

In 1492, it is estimated that around 10 million Native Americans lived in North America.

What was the impact of intertribal conflicts on Native American populations by 1500?

Intertribal conflicts had scrambled the native inhabitants, making it difficult to determine original territories.

What was the condition of the land in North America before European contact?

The land was largely untouched by human presence, with vast areas remaining pristine due to the low population density of Native Americans.

What was the significance of the Mayans' agricultural practices?

The Mayans deforested their land, which contributed to environmental damage and the abandonment of cities during a prolonged drought.

What was the role of the Iroquois in the context of Native American alliances?

The Iroquois played a significant role in forming a military alliance among various tribes, enhancing their political power.

How did the arrival of Europeans affect Native American societies?

The arrival of Europeans brought significant changes and challenges to Native American societies, including conflict and disease.

What was the significance of trade routes in the context of European exploration?

Trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas, leading to increased European interest in exploration and contact with the Americas.

What was the geographic significance of the Great Plains for Native American groups?

The Great Plains were home to many Native American groups who roamed in search of game, particularly buffalo.

What was one consequence of the Crusades for European societies?

The Crusades led to increased demand for Asian goods, which eventually spurred European exploration and trade.

What was the relationship between Native American agricultural practices and gender roles?

In agricultural societies, women often held significant authority as they tended crops, while men engaged in hunting and gathering.

What was the cultural significance of oral traditions among Native American groups?

Oral traditions played a crucial role in preserving the history, beliefs, and values of Native American cultures.

What motivated Europeans to seek a new route to Asia in the 15th century?

European consumers wanted a less expensive route to the riches of Asia due to high costs associated with existing trade routes.

Who was Marco Polo and what impact did he have on European exploration?

Marco Polo was an Italian adventurer whose tales of his travels in Asia stimulated European desires for exploration and trade.

What technological advancement allowed Portuguese mariners to sail more effectively along the African coast?

The development of the caravel, a ship that could sail closer to the wind, enabled better navigation along the African coast.

What was the significance of the Portuguese navigators in the 15th century?

They opened up sub-Saharan Africa for European exploration and established trading posts for gold and slaves.

What was the role of the kingdom of Mali in the context of European exploration?

Mali was known for its wealth, particularly in gold, and had a significant Islamic university at Timbuktu, which intrigued European traders.

How did the Portuguese slave trade differ from previous African slave trading practices?

The Portuguese established a systematic traffic in slaves for plantation work, significantly increasing the scale of the slave trade.

What was the impact of the Portuguese slave trade on African communities?

It disrupted communities and inhibited the expression of regional cultures and identities by forcibly separating individuals from their tribes.

What was the significance of Bartholomeu Dias's voyage in 1488?

He rounded the southernmost tip of Africa, paving the way for future exploration and trade routes to Asia.

What did Vasco da Gama achieve in 1498?

He reached India, demonstrating the feasibility of a sea route to Asia and returning with valuable cargo.

What event in the late 15th century united Spain and why was it significant?

The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile united Spain, enhancing its power and ambition for exploration.

What was the relationship between the Portuguese and Spanish in terms of exploration?

Spain sought to outpace Portugal in exploration and colonization, especially after unifying as a powerful nation.

What was the outcome of Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492?

Columbus discovered the New World, mistakenly believing he had found a new route to the Indies.

What misconception did Columbus have about the lands he discovered?

He thought he had reached the Indies and referred to the native peoples as 'Indians,' a geographical error.

How did Columbus's discovery affect global economics?

It led to the emergence of an interdependent global economic system involving Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

What resources did the New World provide to Europe?

The New World offered raw materials, especially precious metals and land for sugar cane cultivation.

What role did the printing press play in the age of exploration?

It facilitated the spread of scientific knowledge and exploration narratives, encouraging further voyages.

What was the significance of the mariner's compass in navigation?

It reduced uncertainties in sea travel, aiding explorers in their voyages.

What was the impact of the Renaissance on European exploration?

The Renaissance fostered a spirit of optimism and adventure, motivating exploration and discovery.

What was the 'Door of No Return' in the context of the slave trade?

It was a holding station on Gorée Island where thousands of African captives were sent into slavery in the New World.

How did the discovery of the Americas change the course of history?

It initiated a global exchange of goods, cultures, and populations, profoundly affecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The Columbian Exchange refers to the commingling of two ecosystems after Columbus's arrival in the New World, leading to significant exchanges of flora, fauna, and diseases.

What did Europe provide in the Columbian Exchange?

Europe provided markets, capital, and technology.

What did Africa contribute to the Columbian Exchange?

Africa furnished labor, particularly through the slave trade.

What raw materials did the New World offer during the Columbian Exchange?

The New World offered raw materials such as precious metals and soil for sugar cane cultivation.

What impact did New World crops have on the Old World?

New World crops like tobacco, maize, and potatoes revolutionized the European diet and contributed to population growth.

What was the effect of Old World diseases on Native Americans?

Old World diseases like smallpox and malaria devastated Native American populations, leading to a demographic catastrophe.

How did the introduction of horses affect Native American cultures?

Horses transformed Native American cultures into highly mobile hunter-warrior societies, particularly among tribes in the Great Plains.

What was the 'sugar revolution'?

The 'sugar revolution' refers to the increased demand for sugar in Europe, fueled by the forced migration of Africans to work in sugar plantations in the New World.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, granting Spain the lion's share of the territory.

Who were the two scholars that debated the status of Native Americans in 1550-1551?

Juan Ginés de Sepulveda argued that Native Americans were inferior, while Bartolomé de Las Casas defended their humanity and rights.

What was the demographic impact of the Columbian Exchange on Native Americans?

As many as 90 percent of Native Americans perished from disease, violence, and enslavement, leading to the extinction of entire cultures.

What crops were introduced to Africa from the New World?

New World crops such as maize, manioc, and sweet potatoes were introduced to Africa, contributing to population growth.