AP US History Unit 1 Content Outline

• Americas populated by tribes of Natives

• Environment determines social, political, economic structures

• Major centralized civilizations in Andes (Inca) and Mexico (Aztec)   * Tribute system   * Lots of gold and silver

• Mississippi built dense urban centers with mounds and farming, trade

• Eastern Woodlands develop villages with maize farming, foraging, hunting   * Local chiefs, and the Iroquois Confederation

• lack of resources = mobile lifestyles in the Great Plains and Great Lakes   * Spanish introduce horses in 1500’s

• Arid Southwest led to irrigation, maize farming, large pueblo towns

• Pacific Coast natives based on fishing, social hierarchies, wealth

• Africa dominated by powerful chiefs, internal trade, slave trade with Arabs

• Europe beginning to centralize power and expand   * Crusades increase awareness and spice trade with Asia   * Explorers begin to search for new trade routes around Africa   * Columbus finds New World looking for spice route to Asia in 1492

• Columbian exchange    * disease (esp. smallpox) wipes out Native Americans but benefits Europe   * new crops and livestock to Americas; maize, tomatoes, and potatoes to Europe

• Spain dominant colonial power for 100 years   * Conquistadores looking for God, Gold, and Glory   * Encomienda system develops     * Pueblo Revolt in New Mexico

• French explore Canada and the Mississippi for fur trade   * Friendly relations with natives

• English begin to arrive seeking land and freedoms

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