Copy of WHII Flashback & Three Worlds Meet KEY

Three Worlds Meet

Setting the Stage - Important Events

Spanish Reconquista
The Reconquista was a nearly 800 year effort by Christian kingdoms to reclaim Spain from Muslim rule
The Reformation
Protests against the Catholic Church’s abuses and misconduct - Protestant (“to protest”) + Reformation (“change”)
The Counter Reformation
The Catholic Church seeks to restore its religious authority in Western Europe

What were societies like before 1492?

Native American Common Beliefs
Trade routes Respected the land - thought of land as a resource that belonged to all groups Clashed with European idea of private ownership Believed in spirits Kinship-family Division of labor Used a system of bartering Diverse societies
African Common Beliefs
Trade routes: Trans-Saharan trade route Brought Islamic faith Diverse societies - Had many rich and well-organized states (Songhai, Benin, Kongo) -Had organized governments, trade routes, art Traced family through mother’s side (matriarchal lineage) Religion based on spirits in nature Collective ownership of land Division of labor by age and social status - Some had enslaved people
Europeans Common Beliefs
Social hierarchy- organized according to rank Extended family not as important as in Native American/African families Division of labor Roman Catholic Middle Ages The Plague Little trade outside their own country

What changed?
Crusades: military expeditions in the Middle East Decline in Church authority: people wanted religious freedom Rise of nations: needed money to grow nations Renaissance: new technology
Crusades
Series of military expeditions to the Middle East in the name of Christianity sparked an increase in trade as crusaders returned with products from Asia Nobles’ were weakened and monarchs increased their power
Decline in Church authority
Reformation: Split Protestants and Catholics which weakened the Church Sent people looking for religious freedom
Rise of nations
By the late 1400s, four major nations were taking shape: Portugal, Spain, France, and England Made possible by the Crusades, new taxes, armies, central governments Needed money to be powerful, so they went overseas looking for wealth
Renaissance
Led to emergence of studying art, science, and philosophy Led to new technology for exploring and better maps Created desire for adventure, discovery, and conquest

Interactions between Europe, Africa, and the Americas
Columbus sets sail in 1492 He was Italian, but sailing for Spain Reasons for sailing: Gold, Glory, God Gold: money God: religion Glory: power
What did Europeans desire in the New World?
Colonization: establishing settlements controlled by the Mother Country in the “New World” Meant to bring the mother country wealth and power Drives European countries to settle and explore the Americas Columbus’ journey led to increased exploration and expansion and led to one of the biggest voluntary migrations in history Looking for wealth, power, freedom
Impact of colonization on Natives
Deadly diseases: measles, mumps, chicken pox, smallpox, typhus Smallpox - Destroys the Native population, #1 killer, 90% die Loss of land and wealth Many become slaves to the Europeans
Impact on Africans
Became enslaved to the Europeans As the Natives died of disease, the demand for Africans grew Drains Africa of at least 12 million people
Impact of Europeans
Led to introduction of new plants and animals Columbian Exchange Brought wealth to the mother country Created rivalries and tensions between European nations

Setting the Stage - Important Events

Before 1492, a series of transformative developments in various regions around the globe set the stage for the significant interactions among Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

In Europe, the Renaissance ushered in a wave of innovation in art, science, and exploration, prompting nations such as Spain and Portugal to embark on overseas ventures. The emergence of powerful monarchies, notably the unification of Spain under King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, facilitated extensive exploration as these sovereigns sought new trade routes and opportunities for expansion.

What were societies like before 1492?

Prior to European contact, a multitude of vibrant indigenous cultures existed across the Americas, each demonstrating unique social structures and lifestyles.

North America

Numerous tribes, including the Iroquois Confederacy in the Northeast and the Plains Indians, showcased intricate social organization and diverse cultural practices.
Indigenous populations participated in agricultural activities, hunting, and trade, with staple crops such as maize, beans, and squash forming the foundation of their diets.

Central and South America

Prominent civilizations, like the Aztecs and Incas, exhibited extraordinary advancements in architecture, agriculture, and governance, establishing expansive empires characterized by sophisticated infrastructure and extensive trade networks.
The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán served as a bustling center for commerce and cultural exchange, while the Incan civilization constructed a vast network of roads throughout the challenging Andean landscape.

Africa

Across the African continent, diverse and thriving societies flourished, including powerful empires such as Mali and Songhai, which dominated key trade routes across the Sahara Desert.
These empires became hubs of scholarship and culture, with cities like Timbuktu celebrated for their universities and libraries, drawing scholars and thinkers from far and wide.

The interconnectivity of these various regions fostered the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices long before European exploration, laying the groundwork for the profound changes that would unfold in the 16th century.