Chapter 1 Notes — The Collision of Cultures THE COLLISION OF CULTURES

Columbian Exchange

The widespread trade network linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas that had immediate effects like a capitalist economy, enslaved labor, a European population boom, and drastic indigenous population decline.

Inca Empire

A major civilization in South America centered in Cuzco, known for its extensive road network and connection to the vast territory along the western coast.

Meso-Americans

Civilizations in present-day Mexico and Central America, including the Olmec and Maya, known for their advanced cultures, writing systems, and agriculture.

Arawak

Indigenous peoples in the Caribbean and parts of South America, known for their social structures, agriculture, and early encounters with European colonizers.

Cahokia

A major pre-Columbian Native American city located near present-day St. Louis, known for its large earthen mounds and population of about 10,000 around 1200 CE.

Cultural Diversity

The variety of cultural characteristics and practices among different Native American societies, influenced by environmental and geographical factors.

Archaic period

A period in Native American history (approximately 8000 BCE to 3000 BCE) characterized by transitioning from hunting and gathering to early forms of agriculture.

Matriarchy

A social system in which women, especially mothers, hold primary power and influence; particularly practiced among some Native American societies.

European contact

The arrival of Europeans in the Americas, leading to significant demographic and cultural changes among Native American populations.

Environmental Factors

Natural conditions that affected the development and structures of Native American societies before and after European contact.

Tenochtitlán

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in a lake in central Mexico, known for its complex society and architecture.

Bering Strait

The land bridge believed to have been used by early humans to migrate from Asia to the Americas about 11,000 years ago.

Agricultural Revolution

The transition of many Native American societies to farming, which led to sedentism and more complex social structures.

Marco Polo

A Venetian merchant whose travels in Asia spurred European interest in exploration and trade routes.

Encomienda System

A Spanish labor system that granted colonists the right to demand labor from indigenous peoples in exchange for protection and Christian instruction.

Pueblo Revolt

An uprising of Pueblo people against Spanish colonizers in 1680, aimed at expelling them from present-day New Mexico.

Racial Hierarchy

A social stratification system where different races are ranked unequally, significantly impacting the lives and rights of indigenous and enslaved peoples.

Spain's Dominance

Spain emerged as the leading colonial power in the Americas following Columbus's voyages, establishing a significant presence and influence.

Smallpox

An infectious disease that caused catastrophic population declines among Native Americans due to exposure to European settlers.

Conquistadores

Spanish explorers and soldiers who conquered much of the Americas during the Age of Discovery, often through military force.

Bloodshed and Warfare

Major consequences of European colonization, contributing to significant loss of life and upheaval in indigenous populations.

Religious Influence

The role of religion, particularly Christianity, in shaping both European motivations for colonization and interactions with Native American societies.

Sedentary Settlements

Permanent communities established by some Native American groups, facilitating the development of larger, more complex societies.