APUSH Period 1

The Settling of the Americas

  • Timeline: The "Indians" settled in the New World between 15,000 - 60,000 years ago.
Indian Societies of the Americas
  • Both North and South America built complex societies with:
    • Roads and trade networks
    • Irrigation systems
  • Societies in Mexico were generally larger and more advanced than those north of Mexico.
  • Indian societies north of Mexico lacked literacy and advanced scientific knowledge.
Notable Indian Cultures
  • Mound Builders of Mississippi River Valley
    • Community of Poverty Point in Louisiana (3,500 years ago), a trading center for the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys.
    • Cahokia (St. Louis) flourished around 1200 with a population of 10,000-30,000.
  • Western Indians: The Hopi and Zuni ancestors built large towns in Arizona and New Mexico and engaged in trade.
  • Eastern North American Indians: Diet consisted of corn, squash, beans, fish, and meat. Tribes often engaged in warfare and formed loose alliances.
Native American Religion
  • Religious ceremonies were closely tied to agriculture and hunting.
  • Individuals with spiritual powers commanded respect and authority in their communities.
Land and Property
  • Concept of private property was foreign; land viewed as a common resource.
  • Emphasis on generosity over wealth in Indian cultures.
Gender Relations
  • Many societies were matrilineal, women had rights to divorce and managed households and agricultural duties while men hunted.
European Views of Native Americans
  • Europeans believed Native Americans lacked genuine religion and claimed they did not "use" the land, justifying their colonization efforts.
  • Perceptions of Native American men as weak and women mistreated.

Freedom and Authority in Context

  • Indian Freedom: Europeans perceived concepts of freedom as alien to Indians; it was defined more by ownership of property in European culture.
  • Christian Liberty: Seen as freedom from sin, with no relation to later religious tolerance.
  • Obedience to Law: European views emphasized law adherence as part of freedom, often at the expense of women's rights.

Expansion and Navigation

  • Chinese Navigation and Portuguese Exploration: Zhenge He led expeditions (1405-1433); Portuguese navigators utilized advancements like the caravel, compass, and quadrant.
  • Columbus's Voyages (1492): Sponsored by Spain’s King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella; colonization began with Columbus landing in Hispaniola.
Effects of European Exploration
  • Spread of diseases such as smallpox decimated native populations; cultural exchanges began leading to demographic disasters.

The Spanish Empire Model

  • Established a monarchy modeled on absolutism with local governance through viceroys and the Catholic Church.
  • Mining of gold and silver became primary economic activities, relying heavily on Native American labor.
Interactions Between Europeans and Native Americans
  • Represented a hybrid culture, erosion of indigenous culture, and reliance on missionary zeal.
Conflict Reactions
  • Pueblo Revolt (1680): Reaction against forced conversions to Christianity, leading to a temporary success for the Pueblo Indians in New Mexico.

Dutch and French Colonization

  • Dutch and French policies: Showed a more humane relationship with Native Americans compared to the Spanish, but still led to cultural clashes and disease.
  • New Netherland (1626) established on Manhattan Island, reflecting Dutch practical values towards trade.

Social Structures and Conflicts in Colonization

  • English colonization patterns: Driven by anti-Catholic sentiment and socio-economic crises in England.
  • Tobacco as a cash crop: Led to labor demands from both indentured servitude and later reliance on slavery.
Key Colonial Events and Establishments
  • Jamestown: Struggled with high mortality rates due to conflict and inadequate supplies from England, drastically transforming gender roles and community structures.
Diversity and Conflicts
  • New England settlements introduced family structures and more balanced gender ratios compared to Chesapeake colonies, impacting community development.