Final Exam Study Guide Notes

Study Tips

• Understand the material and the bigger picture:

  • Why do these terms and people matter?

• You have two hours for the exam, focus on providing detailed answers with examples, vocabulary, and thoughtful discussion ideas.

• The exam will be conducted through a lockdown browser, and it is a closed-note exam. Do not refer to your notes.

Key Historical Terms and Concepts

Northwest Passage

• Definition: A theoretical route to Asia by sailing west from Europe.

Christopher Columbus and Genocide

• Who: Italian explorer sailing for Spain.

• Where: Ended up in the Bahamas, encountered the Taino people.

• Significance: His voyages led to the widespread genocide of indigenous cultures.

Gold, Glory, and God

• Motives for Exploration:

  • Gold: Seeking wealth through resources.

  • Glory: National pride and personal fame.

  • God: Spreading Christianity.

Pre Modern Manifest Destiny

• Definition: The belief that US expansion westward was justified by divine providence.

Taino People

• Background: Indigenous peoples encountered by Columbus in the Bahamas.

Hernán Cortés

• Who: Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztecs.

• Significance: Brought devastating diseases to Aztec populations.

  • Montezuma: Leader of the Aztecs.

La Malinche (Doña Marina)

• Who: Aztec noblewoman who served as a translator and advisor to Cortés.

• Significance: Played a crucial role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs.

La Raza

• Definition: A blending of indigenous and European cultures in Latin America.

Catholic Missionaries

• Purpose: Often worked to colonize and convert indigenous peoples to Christianity.

  • Process: Sought to take over leadership and change religious beliefs.

Bartolomé de Las Casas

• Role: Spanish priest and advocate for Native American rights.

• Actions: Spoke against the abuses in the New World.

• Proposed to import African slaves as the indigenous population dwindled.

Jacques Cartier

• Who: French explorer who claimed parts of Canada for France.

• Relationship with Natives: Fostered a trade relationship.

Iroquois People

• Background: Indigenous people first contacted by the French in Canada.

• Longhouses: Type of dwelling reflecting family structures of the Iroquois.

Fur Trade

• Overview: A lucrative trade between the French and Native Americans, exchanging fur for various goods.

Samuel de Champlain

• Contributions: Advocated for friendly relations with Indigenous peoples and founded Quebec.

The English Arrive

• Roanoke: First attempted English colony; it disappeared mysteriously.

• Jamestown: Established by Captain John Smith, involved significant conflict with the Powhatan tribe.

• Pocahontas: Tied to the myth of romantic relations with John Smith, captured and converted by the English.

Tobacco and Conflicts

• Significance: Tobacco became a cash crop, leading to the need for more land and conflicts with Indigenous peoples.

  • Bacon's Rebellion (1676): Uprising of colonists against the government due to lack of representation and grievances.

Removal of Natives

• Objective: Natives were pushed into reservations, and their lands were often taken back after perceived value was discovered (like oil).

The Mexican American War

• Causes: Territorial disputes after Texas annexation and belief in Manifest Destiny.

• Consequences: US gained vast territories in the southwest.

Civil War and Aftermath

• Causes: Tension surrounding slavery.

• Emancipation Proclamation: Issued by Lincoln, freeing slaves in rebellious states but excluding border states.

• Reconstruction Era: Focused on reintegrating Southern states and addressing civil rights for freed slaves.

• Amendments: 13th (abolition of slavery), 14th (citizenship rights), 15th (voting rights for African American men).

Jim Crow Laws

• Definition: Laws enforcing racial segregation in the southern United States.

• Impact: Institutionalized racial discrimination and prevented African Americans from exercising their rights.

The Great Migration

• Background: African Americans moved from the rural South to urban areas in the North for better opportunities.

Eugenics and Social Issues

• Definition: A movement aimed at improving the genetic composition of the human population, resulting in discriminatory practices.

  • Included forced sterilization targeting minority populations.

Native Boarding Schools

• Purpose: Assimilation of Native American children into Euro-American culture, often through harsh conditions.

Key Historical Figures

• Joseph Smith: Founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, faced persecution for his beliefs.

• Brigham Young: Led Mormons to Utah, promoted polygamy and exclusionary views.

• Andrew Jackson: Advocated for the Indian Removal Act, contributed to the Democratic Party's founding.

Summary

This guide covers essential terms, figures, and events vital for understanding the historical context of early American settlement, interactions with Native Americans, and the eventual conflicts over land, identity, and rights in the U.S. Prepare to provide detailed responses on these topics, drawing connections between historical events and their lasting impacts.