APUSH Unit 1: Native Societies, European Exploration, and Early Colonization (1491–1607)

What time period does APUSH Unit 1 cover?

1491-1607

What motivated European exploration?

God, Gold, and Glory.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The transfer of goods, diseases, and ideas between the Americas and Europe.

What impact did the Columbian Exchange have on Native Americans?

It caused massive population decline due to disease.

What crops were transferred from the Americas to Europe?

Maize, potatoes, tomatoes.

What animals were introduced to the Americas by Europeans?

Horses, cattle, pigs.

Who was Christopher Columbus?

An explorer who initiated European contact with the Americas in 1492.

What was the encomienda system?

A Spanish labor system that exploited Native Americans.

What was the main goal of Spanish colonization?

To extract wealth and spread Christianity.

How did Spain justify its treatment of Native Americans?

Through the belief in cultural and religious superiority.

What role did religion play in European colonization?

Europeans aimed to convert Native Americans to Christianity.

What was the main difference between Spanish and French colonization?

Spain focused on conquest, France focused on trade and alliances.

How did geography affect European settlement patterns?

It influenced where they farmed, traded, and built colonies.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

An agreement dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.

What were joint-stock companies?

Businesses formed to fund colonies with shared investment.

Why did England start colonizing later than Spain?

They were initially focused on internal issues and conflicts in Europe.

What was the significance of 1607?

It marks the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement.

What is the significance of 1491 in APUSH?

It marks the period before European contact with the Americas.

Who were the first inhabitants of the Americas?

Native Americans who migrated from Asia via the Bering Land Bridge.

What is the Bering Land Bridge?

A land connection between Asia and North America used by early migrants.

How did Native American societies adapt to their environments?

They developed diverse cultures, economies, and lifestyles based on geography.

What were the three main Native American regions discussed in Unit 1?

Southwest, Great Plains, and Eastern Woodlands.

What was a characteristic of Southwest Native American societies?

They built irrigation systems and lived in pueblos.

What was a characteristic of Great Plains Native Americans?

They were nomadic and relied heavily on buffalo.

What was a characteristic of Eastern Woodland Native Americans?

They practiced agriculture and lived in permanent villages.

What were the three main European countries that explored the Americas?

Spain, France, and England.