Unit 1 – Pre-Columbian America and European Colonization (1450-1600)

Synthesis

The United States is a combination of people from around the world.

Columbian Exchange

Trans-Atlantic trade in animals, plants, and germs that altered global lifestyles.

Jamestown

The first permanent English settlement in Virginia, marking the start of a new nation.

Native Cultures

Historians emphasize the vibrant cultures in the Americas before Columbus's arrival.

Bering Strait Land Bridge

Possible route for Asian migrants to the Americas over 10,000 years ago.

Mayas, Aztecs, Incas

Highly developed civilizations in Central and South America.

Algonquian, Siouan, Athabaskan

American Indian language families in North America.

Southwest Settlements

Hokokam, Anasazi, Pueblos with multifaceted societies in the dry region.

Great Plains

Nomadic hunters and sedentary farmers living on the plains.

Protestant Reformation

Religious conflict in Northern Europe leading to exploration and colonization.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of plants, animals, and germs between the Americas and Europe after Christopher Columbus's voyages.

Spanish Conquistadores

Spanish explorers and conquerors who played a significant role in establishing Spanish dominance in the Americas.

Treaty of Tordesillas

An agreement in 1494 between Spain and Portugal to divide the newly discovered lands outside Europe.

Bartolome de Las Casas

A Spanish priest who advocated for better treatment of Native Americans and fought against their enslavement.

Valladolid Debate

A formal debate in 1550-1551 in Spain discussing the treatment and rights of Native Americans in the Spanish colonies.

English Colonization

English settlements in North America and their interactions with Native Americans, leading to conflicts and warfare.

French Fur Trade

The French policy of establishing trading posts and maintaining alliances with Native Americans for fur trading purposes.

Spanish Settlements in North America

The slow development of Spanish settlements in regions like Florida, New Mexico, Texas, and California.

European Treatment of Native Americans

The differing approaches of Europeans, including the Spanish, English, and French, towards Native Americans in the Americas.

Native American Tribal Identity

North American tribes viewed themselves as distinct groups rather than part of a larger Native American community, impacting their responses to European settlers.

European Influence

Initially, European goods like copper pots and guns intrigued Native Americans, leading to interactions with the newcomers.

Adaptation to European Arrival

After suffering losses from European violence and diseases, Native Americans had to adopt new survival strategies.

Tribal Alliances

Some tribes aligned with different European powers to seek support and ensure survival in the face of European invasion.

Migration

Certain tribes chose to relocate to new territories to escape encroaching European settlers.

Irreversible Change

The arrival of Europeans in 1492 irreversibly altered the way of life for Native Americans, preventing a return to their pre-contact lifestyle.