Exploring the First Americans: Societies and Cultures Unveiled
School
Rock Ridge High Scool**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
ELECTIVE 222
Subject
History
Date
Dec 10, 2024
Pages
3
Uploaded by MajorEnergyPolarBear45
Chapter 1 Study Guide VII“New World Beginnings”Directions- Read Pageant, Ch.1. Take notes/answer the questions in your own words. DO NOT copydirectly from the textbook.When and how did the first Americans arrive according to the two most plausible theories? -Bering land bridge, about 33,000 bce-Coastal route, even earlier According to the textbook’s authors, what was the estimated population of the two American continents in 1492? (p.6) (We will compare this with Charles Mann’s estimate)-54 million-Mann argues that the Americas were more heavily populated than we realized. By the time of European settlement, disease had already devastated the Native American population. Pre-Columbian population of the Americas, according to Mann, could have been as high as 100 million. “According to some estimates, as much as 95 percent of the Indians may have died almost immediately on contact with various European diseases, particularly smallpox.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/09/books/review/09baker.html?_r=0)Briefly describe the Aztec society that existed prior to the arrival of Europeans.-perhaps 20 million in Mexico-elaborate cities-far reaching trade-talented mathematicians- accurate astronomical observations-Aztecs- human sacrifice-Aztecs and Incas developed large-scale, centralized nation-states. (nation-state- a form of political organization in which a group of people who share the same history, traditions, or language live in a particular area under one government.How did the cultivation of maize and the timing of its introduction into a society influence the development of various societies in the Americas?-maize developed about 5,000 B.C.-it allowed complex, large-scale, centralized Aztec and Incan civilizations to develop-it transformed societies as it spreadAs you read the chapter, provide specific examples to illustrate the following concept: “As native populations migrated and settled across the vast expanse of North America over time, they developed distinct and increasingly complex societies by adapting to and transforming their diverse environments.”-1,200 B.C. corn reached American Southwest.-Pueblo culture-intricate irrigation systems-multistoried buildings-Because of the later arrival of corn, less sophisticated societies developed in North America outside of Mexico. –No dense concentrations of population or complex nation-states.
-Mound Builders of the Ohio River valley, the Mississippian culture of the lower Midwest, and the Anasazi of the Southwest did develop large settlements.-Cahokia (Mississippian settlement)- 25,000-Anasazis built a pueblo (village) at Chaco Canyon New Mexico-The cultures declined by about 1300-Creek, Choctaw, and Cherokee-Three-sisters farming-maize, beans and squash-southeastern Atlantic seaboard-some of the highest population densities on the continent-Iroquois-northeastern woodlands-Hiawatha (16thcentury)-Iroquois Confederacy-powerful military alliance (16thand early 15thcenturies)-matrilineal culture-Native peoples of North America generally lived in small, scattered, and impermanent settlements.-In more settled agricultural groups, women tended the crops, while men hunted, fished, etc.Three-sisters farmingWhen and why did Europeans become increasingly interested in Africa?How significant was Columbus’ voyage according to the authors? Provide textual evidence to support your answer.-authors describe it as a “cataclysmic shift”-“sensational achievement”-“Columbus’s discovery would eventually convulse four continents”-“Thanks to his epochal voyage, an interdependent global economic system emerged on a scale undreamed of before he set sail.”-“For Europeans as well as for Africans and Native Americans, the world after 1492 would never be the same, for better or worse.”Explain what the authors mean by the statement, “. . . an interdependent global economic system emerged on a scale undreamed-of before he set sail.” What were the components of this system?-Europe provided the markets, the capital and the technology; Africa furnished the labor, and the New World provided the raw materials (especially precious metals and soil for cultivation of sugar)Explain the Columbian Exchange. Provide evidence to support the following concept: “Contact among Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans resulted in the Columbian Exchange and significant social, cultural, and political changes on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.”Encomienda
How did New World bullion transform the world economy? (p.18)How was the culture of Mexico influenced by the encounter with Spain?-new crops and animals, language and laws, customs and religion-mestizo culture- mixture of Indian and European heritageMestizosWhat main difference do the authors point out between Spanish interaction with native peoples and that of the English?-Spanish intermarried and incorporated indigenous culture into their own-Spanish empire was larger and richer -English isolated IndiansConquistadoresPopé’s Rebellion-1680-Spanish had attempted to convert Native Americans and suppress indigenous culture and religion-Pueblo, led by Pope, destroyed Catholic churches and drove Spanish out of region-When Spanish returned, they were more willing to accommodate indigenous culture and practicesWhat was the Black Legend? How do the authors interpret it?-concept that Spanish merely tortured and killed indigenous people and stole their gold-promoted by the English-authors call it a false concept saying that it ignores the positive contributions made by the Spanish