Unit 1 Study Guide: Early American Civilizations, European Exploration, and the Columbian Exchange

Maya Empire (p. 12-13)
- Settled in present-day Mexico and Central America.
- Governed as a theocracy (ruled by religious leaders).
- Highly involved as traders.
- Empire decline/end remains unknown.
Aztec Empire (p. 12-13)
- Settled in present-day Mexico.
- Built a powerful empire through military conquest.
Inca Empire (p. 12-13)
- Settled in present-day South America.
- Built a vast empire that was later conquered by the Spanish.
Mississippian Cahokia Culture (p. 14)
- Located in the Southern United States.
- Known as mound builders.
- Grew crops to feed large populations.
Ancient Puebloans (p. 15-16)
- Located in the Southwestern United States.
- Lived in rocky and dry regions.
- Built great stone dwellings.
Iroquois Culture and Alliance (p. 19)
- Located in the Southern United States.
- Many distinct groups spoke similar languages.
- Farmed squash, corn, and beans (collectively known as the "three sisters").
- Lived in longhouses (long rectangular houses).
- Formed a powerful alliance known as the Iroquois Confederacy.

The Renaissance (p. 38)
- Meaning "rebirth," a period of intellectual and artistic creativity during the 1300s.
- Transformed European self-perception and worldview.
- Set the stage for European exploration and discovery.
Technological Advancements Paving European Exploration (p. 39-40)
- Improved Mapmaking: Allowed more accurate navigation.
- Printing Press: Enabled rapid sharing of geographic and navigation knowledge.
- Astrolabe: Measured the positions of stars for navigation.
- Magnetic Compass: Provided direction at sea.
- Caravel: Advanced sailing boats/ships designed for long ocean journeys.

West African Empires and Trade (p. 42)
- Traded salt and gold (important commodities) with Europeans.
- Engaged in the slave trade.
- Accumulated great wealth through trade (exemplified by cities like Timbuktu).
- Maintained economic power through the collection of taxes.
Christopher Columbus's Voyages (p. 44-45)
- Sought to reach Asia more quickly by sailing west across the Atlantic.
- Funded and backed by the Spanish King and Queen.
- Landed on present-day islands in the Bahamas.
- Led to further European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
Spanish Conquistadors (p. 47)
- Spanish explorers who conquered Native American empires for Spanish gold and land:
- Hernán Cortés: Conquered the Aztec Empire.
- Francisco Pizarro: Conquered the Inca Empire.
- Factors enabling conquest:
- Superior weapons
- Horses
- Diseases brought from Europe that devastated Inca and Aztec populations

New Spain Settlements and Social Structure (p. 47)
- Pueblos: Spanish towns established for trade.
- Missions: Religious communities built to spread Christianity.
- Presidios: Military forts built for defense.
- Social Structure: Rigid hierarchy based on blood lineage.
The Reformation and Impact on North America (p. 50)
- A major religious movement sparked by Martin Luther (leading to Protestantism) that rejected or sought reform of Roman Catholic policies.
- Caused intense international conflicts, particularly between Catholic Spain and predominantly Protestant England, impacting territorial pursuits in North America.
Search for the Northwest Passage (p. 51)
- A sought-after direct water route through the Americas to Asia.
- Explorers John Cabot, Jacques Cartier, and Henry Hudson all attempted and failed to locate this passage.
The Columbian Exchange (p. 52-53)
- A global exchange of people, goods, technology, ideas, and diseases across continents.
- Impacts on the World:
- Caused major life changes and transformed economies worldwide.
- Substantially increased global trade networks.
- Introduced new religions, technologies, weapons, and food crops to different regions.
- Introduced European diseases to which Native Americans had no immunity, killing large populations.