APUSH Unit 1
1.1
Unlike the Americas, the Indigenous native population was very diverse as they spoke different language, and had different cultures because of the tribes they were affiliated with.
Nomadic tribes, Massive cities, Semi-permanent settlements
Most importantly, maize shaped how complex societies became, and how nomadic tribes began to fall because they could simply grow their food.
Maize cultivation led to:
Developed trade networks between societies
Permanent settlements
Advanced irrigation techniques → More population increase
Social hierarchies began to form as complex societies began to grow
Areas like the Great Basin and the Great Plains were very nomadic due to the hot climate, and had domestic roles where men hunted and women gathered (Ute).
The Northeastern, Mississippian, and Atlantic Coast region was much different however, as they were able to house up to 4000-6000 people, not nomadic, and developed complex societies using the rivers to trade (Hopewell People, Iroquois, Cherokee)
The Pacific Coast also had permanent settlements, but used fishing rather than agriculture to their advantage (Chinook, Chumash).
1.2
After the Europeans were majorly affected by the plague and the Ice Age, the Europeans were a laughing stock of the world
But after increasing agricultural technologies, the ice age stopping, and the desire for more luxury Asian goods, the Europeans sought to obtain wealth in the trade market via the Silk Roads.
However, after the takeover of Constantinople, Europeans were restricted access of land-based trade routes like the Silk Road.
Christopher Columbus asked King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to pay for the trip westward
One key detail is that people thought the Earth was flat, after the Greek philosopher Ptolemy made this idea during the 2nd century.
Due to this, Columbus thought he was in Asia, hence where the term “Indians” come from.
During the time that Columbus sailed, the Protestant Reformation was going on which was a debate between the Protestants (those who want to practice Christianity by faith and not outside expenses like church attendance) while Catholics are against that belief.
So another main motive was to convert people who did not believe in their version of Jesus.
The last motive was to keep power balanced, as some empires like Spain dominated a large amount of the world, which caused empires like England and France to start to explore too.
One notable example is the Treaty of Tordesillas to create boundaries as to who owned parts of the New World with Spain and Portugal, ending up having Spain own most of the New World since Portugal owned the majority of the Indian Ocean.
1.3
To increase trade, their first strategy was to improve maritime technology by borrowing from Muslim and Chinese merchants.
The caravel which used triangles to help it sail faster
The astrolabe and magnetic compass to help get a sense of direction
The second strategy were Joint-Stock companies which were limited liability businesses (affects the reputation of the company, not you) and also funded by the state and investors. This made it so promotion of exploring maritime opportunities was easier than ever, as investors and the state can make some good money in return.
From these two strategies, the Columbian Exchange occurred refers to the transfer of diseases, plants, animals, minerals, and people between the Old and New Worlds.
Disease was the first great transfer, as the indigenous were not used to the bacteria from Europe, as well as them not experiencing many diseases unlike the Europeans did, killing over 90-95% of the indigenous population.
The second transfer was food and plants with Europeans introducing wheat, olives, and grapes, while the New World introduced maize, potatoes, and manioc. These caused a varied diet for both worlds which boosted population.
The third transfer were animals, with the major one being the horse from Europe, allowing many hunter-based tribes to have the ability to kill larger herds.
However, pigs, sheep, and cattle were also introduced, and since they had no predators in their natural habitat, they multiplied quickly which caused erosion for indigenous farmers, lowering the soil quality and fertility.
The fourth transfer were minerals and natural resources, most notably the Spanish as they farmed massive quantities of gold and silver from the conquered Aztec and Inca.
Because of this fast silver farming, this led to the price revolution that caused inflation for a good 150 years, as well as some parts of Europe switching from feudalism to capitalism.
1.4
To prevent people from criticizing about the morals of the conquistadors, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella issued the Requerimiento, which stated that Spain had biblical authority over the Americans from the Pope, and any indigenous groups who defied the order were threatened with violence.
This proved to do nothing however, as the indigenous thought it was stupid and also was read in Spanish, which the indigenous did not understand.
Because the Spanish conquistadors did not have any power in Europe, they wanted to have power for themselves by creating a casta system based on race and heredity.
This dictated education, occupation, tax payments, etc.
1.5
Ethnocentrism started to develop when merging with other cultures, which is a bias that your history, culture, and country’s/empire’s background is way more better than any other empire, and that everyone should practice the same systems your country/empire does.
Sometimes however, culture between the Europeans and the Indigenous did mix, like Dia de Los Muertos or the Virgin of Guadalupe for syncretism or polytheism which is allowing multiple gods into your religion.
On the European side, the Europeans were taught better agricultural techniques, and some even intermarried with the indigenous (like the French) to get better trade relations.
Because of this land conquering however, there were some resistance
Diplomacy which is to ally the conquerors to topple their oppressors
Military resistance - Taino Rebellion
The Taino Rebellion in 1511 were the native people resisting against the Spanish in modern day Puerto Rico. It ended up being successful at the beginning, but quickly got shut down by the Spanish for their advanced weaponry
Because of this brutal treatment, this started the Valladolid Debates
A significant figure, Bartolomé de las Casas, who was originally a Spanish conquistador, changed his perspective and argued that the indigenous were fully human and should not be radicalized to these harsh treatments.
However, Juan Gines de Sepulveda argued the indigenous were less than human, and the subjugation to this treatment will lead them to become better humans.
The Curse of Ham is a story in the bible, particularly in the book of Genesis, Ham was cursed by his father Noah to be servants, as well as across future generations, justifying slavery used for Africans.