APUSH Chapters 1-4 Notes

Chapter 1: The Collision of Cultures

America Before Columbus

Clovis People

• The Clovis people, considered among the earliest Native Americans, crossed from Asia to North America via the Bering Land Bridge, which existed during the last Ice Age.

• They were sophisticated foragers, showcasing advanced skills in tool-making, particularly using stone tools, to hunt and gather food. Their innovations paved the way for technological advancements in later civilizations.

Archaic Period

• The Archaic period (circa 8000 BCE to 1000 BCE) marked a significant transition from nomadic hunting and gathering lifestyles toward more sedentary forms of living, setting the stage for the development of complex societies.

• During this time, people began to experiment with agriculture, domesticating local flora and fauna, which led to the establishment of permanent settlements and advanced societal structures.

The Growth of Civilizations

The South

• Incas: One of the most prominent civilizations located in present-day Peru, known for their extensive road systems, architectural achievements, and agricultural terraces. They had a centralized bureaucracy and sophisticated political structures.

• Olmec: Often regarded as the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, the Olmec civilization is known for monumental art and the development of a complex social structure. Their influence laid the groundwork for subsequent Meso-American cultures.

• Mayan: This civilization, concentrated in the Yucatan Peninsula, made significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and writing. They developed impressive city-states with elaborate architectural landmarks and a rich mythological tradition.

• Aztecs (Mexica): The Aztecs, famed for their advanced urban society, elaborate religious practices, and extensive trade networks, built their capital, Tenochtitlan, on an island in Lake Texcoco and are declared to have utilized human sacrifices as part of their religious practices.

The North

• In contrast to the rich civilizations to the south, northern tribes were less centralized and often lived in small, mobile bands.

• Woodland Indians: These groups thrived in the eastern U.S., practicing a mix of agriculture, hunting, and gathering. They were known for constructing intricate burial mounds and participated in extensive trading networks.

• Language groups across North America included Algonquian, Iroquois, and Muskogean, reflecting the diverse cultures and societies that flourished prior to European contact.

Tribal Cultures

• Tribes across North America exhibited a deep respect for nature and intertwined their religious beliefs with the environment.

• The division of labor was heavily influenced by gender roles, with men typically responsible for hunting and warfare, while women tended to agricultural tasks and household responsibilities.

Page 2: Europe Looks Westward

Commerce and Nationalism

• Following the devastation of the Bubonic Plague, Europe saw a resurgence in population, leading to increased trade and commerce, which fueled growth in cities.

• Emerging monarchies sought avenues for overseas exploration to expand their wealth and influence. Notable explorers, such as Marco Polo, inspired this thirst for knowledge and trade routes.

Prince Henry the Navigator

• A pivotal figure in early exploration, Prince Henry the Navigator was instrumental in maritime advancements and sponsored expeditions along the African coast, aiming to find a safer sea route to Asia, which ultimately impacted global trade.

Christopher Columbus

• Columbus, convinced that a westward route would facilitate trade with Asia, was backed by the Spanish monarchy. His 1492 voyage led him to the Bahamas, mistakenly believing it was Asia, marking the beginning of European colonialism in the Americas.

• His actions resulted in the capture and transference of native peoples to Europe, noted for fundamentally altering the dynamics of the New World.

Page 3: The Explorers and Conquistadores

Post-Columbus Exploration

• Following Columbus' discovery, Spain established itself as a dominant maritime power, launching numerous expeditions.

• Spanish Explorers: Figures like Vasco de Balboa, who first crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean, and Ferdinand Magellan, whose crew completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, are crucial to understanding early exploration.

The Conquistadores

• The Conquistadores sought fortune and glory in the Americas, leading to the dismantling of indigenous empires.

• Hernando Cortes: Notable for his conquest of the Aztec empire, Cortes exploited diseases like smallpox to decimate populations and utilized alliances with rival tribes, demonstrating the impact of European colonization on native populations.

• Other explorers, including Francisco Pizarro and Hernando de Soto, were similarly motivated by the pursuit of wealth and land, contributing to the drastic changes in the Americas.

Page 4: Spanish America

Northern Outposts

• St. Augustine: Established in 1565, St. Augustine is recognized as the first permanent European settlement in what is now the United States, showcasing Spanish influence in the New World.

• Don Juan de Onate: He sought to extend Spanish colonization into New Mexico, employing the encomienda system to subjugate local populations, which often led to severe oppression.

• Pueblo Revolt (1680): A pivotal event where Pueblo tribes united against Spanish rule, resisting cultural suppression and leading to a temporary expulsion of the Spanish from New Mexico.

The Empire at High Tide

• The governance of the Spanish Empire was marked by a rigid hierarchy and centralized authority, which differed from the more adaptable economic strategies of British colonies, leading to local economic struggles.

Page 5: Economic Structures

Mercantilism

• The dominant economic theory of the time, mercantilism held that national prosperity relied on exploitation of colonies. This prompted European powers to establish and maintain colonies as sources of raw materials and markets for finished goods.

• A racial hierarchy solidified, as colonial economies began to intertwine wealth and status, often overshadowing lineage in social standings.

Arrival of the English

• English contact in North America was initiated by explorers like John Cabot, signaling the start of economic and religious transformations that would lead to increased settlement and colonization efforts.

Page 6: Religious and Political Motivations

Puritans and Separatists

• The desire for religious purification and freedom from perceived corrupt practices in the Church of England motivated groups like the Puritans and Separatists to seek new opportunities in America.

English Colonization Methods

• Drawing from their experiences in Ireland, the English utilized those methods to establish settlements that reflected their social and religious aspirations in the New World.

Page 7: Early English Settlements

Jamestown

• Founded in 1607, Jamestown was the first enduring English colony in America, established primarily as an economic venture by the Virginia Company.

• The settlement faced numerous challenges, including disease, starvation, and conflicts with local tribes, creating a precarious existence initially.

Page 8: Bacon's Rebellion

Causes and Effects

• Bacon’s Rebellion (1676) arose from tensions between backcountry settlers, who sought land and security from Native American raids, and the colonial government, reflecting class divisions and dissatisfaction with governance.

Page 9: Maryland and Calverts

Foundation and Religious Toleration

• Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore as a refuge for Catholics facing persecution in England, establishing a unique precedent of religious tolerance and peace with Native American tribes during its early years.

Page 10: Expansion and Turmoil in Virginia

Virginia's Expansion

• Expansion led to conflicts over land and resources that fueled tensions, resulting in pivotal moments such as Bacon’s Rebellion, highlighting the growing unrest among colonial populations.

Page 11: The Growth of New England

Plymouth and the Pilgrims

• The Pilgrims, Separatists who sought a haven for their beliefs, established Plymouth Colony in 1620, initially making peace with local tribes before facing challenges of survival in the harsh New England climate.

Page 12: The Puritan Experiment

Massachusetts Bay Colony

• The Massachusetts Bay Colony was established by Puritans seeking to create a society based on their ideals of religious purity, forming a theocratic society that emphasized moral conduct and self-governance.

Page 13: Restoration Colonies

The Carolinas and New York

• These proprietary colonies were established under a restoration monarchy, promising political and religious freedoms that attracted diverse sets of settlers, contributing to a more multicultural colonial landscape.

Page 14: Quaker Influence

Pennsylvania

• Founded by William Penn in 1681, Pennsylvania was established as a refuge for Quaker ideals of peace, tolerance, and community, resulting in largely amicable relations with Native Americans in the region.

Page 15-29: The American Revolution

Tensions with Britain

• Growing resistance to British policies, including taxation without representation, led to a series of colonial protests and discontent, culminating in the formation of the First Continental Congress in 1774.

Conflict Outbreak

• The battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 marked the onset of armed conflict between colonial militias and British soldiers, underscoring the deepening divide between the colonies and the British crown.

Conclusion

• The evolving sentiment of independence and desire for self-determination reshaped colonial relationships with Britain, ultimately leading to the American Revolution and the quest for liberty and democratic governance.