Describe the origins and life styles of the first settlers of North America
The real first settlers of North America were Native Americans. They
... [Show More] originated from the Paleo-Indians, who were the first human beings to set foot on the continent. Each group focused on their own survival. They were nomadic, isolated people, who for an unknown reason stopped hosting a number of communicative diseases.
Discuss the primary aspects of Aztec Society
The Aztecs were aggressive, warlike people ruling by force. Its main ceremonial center was Tenochtitlan. They ceremoniously believed that the blood of their victims possessed powers. Their ritual killings connected with the agricultural style.
Explain how the relationship between the europeans and Indians changed
The first recorded interaction had a feeling of curiosity and surprise rather than hostility. The indians desired peaceful trade. the Europeans began trying to "civilize" the Indians but this was usually rejected. The relationship quickly became less and less cooperative. Disease eventually destroyed the cultural integrity of many tribes.
Describe the portugusese relationship with West Africa
a. THe Prtuguee sailed to Africa in hopes of finding gold and slaves. The officials werfe willing partners in trade but insisted that the portuguese respect African trade regulations. They were required to pay tolls and fees. The Africans formed an army and the portugese realized they could not forece their will upon the Africans, and soon disease proved lethal.,
b. Before Europeans founded the New World the portuguese had purchased thousands of slaves, forcing them to work on sugar plantations
Describe the first European settlers in North America.
Scandinavian seafarers known as Vikings established settlements in North America, but it
took a thousand years for them to receive recognition. Medieval Kingdom's were organized
and ignorance and disease discouraged travel far from the center.
List the European prerequisites for exploration in the 15th century.
a. Bold new creative thinking
b. growth in population
c. Reliable technical knowledge
Explain Christopher Columbus' motivation & accomplishments.
a. Born to humble parentage, he devoured classical learning. He mastered geography, and
became obsessed with the idea of voyaging across the Atlantic to reach Cathay (China)
b. His first plan was altered to voyage to Africa first
i. He petitioned Isabella and Ferdinand for financial backing, and he was eventually
provided with a small fleet (Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria)
Describe the participants & results of the Treaty of Tordesillas
a. Spain insisted on maintaining complete control over lands discovered by Columbus.
b. Portugal wanted to exclude the Spanish from the west coast of Africa, and from Columbus'
new route to India
c. The treaty divided the world along a line (270 leagues west of Azores). Any new lands
discovered west of the line belonged to Spain.
d. The treaty failed to discourage future English, Dutch and French adventurers from trying
their luck in the New World.
Explain how the Spanish conquered the Aztecs.
a. Cortes and a small army left Cuba to check out Mexico for themselves. His adversary was
the Aztec emperor, Montezuma. Cortes gained followers on his travel, those who were
eager to free themselves of Aztec domination.
b. Montezuma first thought of the Spaniards as Gods, which accounted for some of Cortes'
success. By the time he was ready to fight, it was too late.
Describe the early Spanish colonial system.
a. Encomienda System- those conquistadores were given Indian villages and were provided
with labor tribute in exchange for legal protection and religious guidance.
b. This system made the colonizers more dependent on the king
c. The Spanish brought Catholicism to the New World, and the two orders (Dominicans and
Franciscans) established missionaries.
d. The sudden acquisition of money caused inflation, and Spain became too dependent on
the annual shipment of bullion from America.
Describe the early French colonial system.
a. The crown remained indifferent to Canadian affairs, royal officials stationed in New
France received limited support from Paris.
b. Their hopes were to migrate to the New World to convert the Indians to Christianity,
however this required cooperation
c. The French viewed the natives as necessary economic partners.
d. Furs were most valuable export
e. French traders often lived among the natives [Show Less]