AMSCO Reading

Chapter 1: A New World of Many Cultures 1491-1607

This information is not put into any certain order!

? Inference.

The Columbian Exchange - 1492: The transfer of goods, plants, people, animals, ideas, and diseases through the Americas, Europe, and Africa after Columbus’s discovery.

? It established connections between lands on each side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Doctrine of Discovery - 1493: This states that any land that wasn’t occupied by Christians could be claimed by them, and that nations of other faiths should be converted.

The Encomienda System - 1512: Leaders were granted Indians, who they could use for gold and labor. They were supposed to Christianize and protect but instead enslaved them and took their lands.

Colonists vs. Settlers:

• Colonists

  • Definition: People sent to establish a colony.

  • Purpose: Represent the interests of the mother country.

  • Relationship: Often have ties to the government or trading companies.

• Settlers

  • Definition: Individuals who choose to move to a new land.

  • Purpose: Seek new opportunities or escape persecution.

  • Relationship: Often independent and seeking autonomy.

Subjugation (a definition): The action of bringing someone or something under control.

In 1550, Bartolome Las Casas challenged the encomienda system and considered whether Spanish colonists had the right to enslave and take land away from the Indians.

Mercantile (a definition): Anything related to trade or commerce.

The Indigenous peoples suffered greatly from diseases.

The “New Worlds” are North and South America.
The “Old World” is Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Amerindians were a group of Indigenous peoples in the Americas.

The Europeans and Native Americans were both used to different environments. So when the Europeans came they created an environment they already knew, so that greatly affected the Native Americans especially since they hadn’t adapted to the diseases that the Europeans brought with them.

• Natives settled across North America evolved into many tribes that had different languages and cultural practices.

• Columbus and European explorers who founded colonies that destroyed much of 

the cultures of the natives who lived there before.

• European colonies enslaved many indigenous people in large groups, Africans in transportation, and Indians harmed by disease and losing their lands.

• The Europeans planted crops that they’d brought

• Southwest settlements: Supported by farms with irrigation systems.

• Northwest settlements: Longhouses and plank houses. They carved totem poles to preserve stories.

Summary (Made by AI):

Natives settled across North America formed diverse tribes with unique languages and cultures. European explorers, including Columbus, established colonies that disrupted native cultures. European colonies enslaved indigenous people, Africans, and Indians, leading to disease outbreaks and land loss. European settlers introduced new crops, while Southwest settlements relied on irrigation for farming. Northwest settlements featured longhouses, plank houses, and totem poles for storytelling.

? The Spanish colonies were very dependent on slavery in maintaining their colonies and were supported by slave plantations.

The lives of slaves varied greatly depending on where they were. Some made only small contributions, others were main producers of wealth, but they all lost some of their freedoms.

Natives who had settled across North America had evolved into many tribes that had different languages and cultural practices.

Columbus and European explorers founded colonies that destroyed much of 

the cultures of the natives who lived there before.

• European colonies enslaved many indigenous people in large groups, Africans in transportation, and Indians harmed by disease and lost their lands.

• The Europeans planted crops that they’d brought

• American Indian settlements:

  • Southwest settlements: Supported by farms with irrigation systems.

  • Northwest settlements: Longhouses and plank houses. They carved totem poles to preserve stories.

  • Great Plains:

  • Midwest settlements:

  • Northeast settlements:

  • Atlantic Seaboard settlements:

Factors that helped make ocean crossing and exploration possible:

• The Renaissance: Advancements in technology

1469: Isabella (Queen of Castile) and Ferdinand (King of Aragon) married, which united their kingdoms. In 1492, they funded the first historic voyage of Christopher Columbus.

The African slaves resisted in ways they could such as running away, revolting, or sabotaging their work. They also preserved their cultures through music and religion.

Conquistadors were conquerors who explored new territories and claimed loot and land in the Americas. They also paved the way for more settlers to come later.

The Asiento System: Following the decrease of the native populations by the diseases and brutality of the Europeans, this system required the Spanish to pay a tax to the king of West Africa for each slave they brought to the Americas.

Many Europeans looked down on the Native Americans and saw them as resources for economic gain, military allies, and be converted to Christianity. The Europeans controlled the Native Americans and used them to help run their colonies.