PERIOD 1: 1491-1607 Flashcards
What is the Columbian Exchange?
The Columbian exchange was the trading of crops, animals, people, and diseases between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Where were the Mayans based?
The Mayans were based in the Yucatan peninsula.
Where were the Aztecs based?
The Aztecs were based in modern-day Central Mexico.
Where were the Incas based?
The Incas were based in modern-day Peru.
What crop were the Aztecs and Mayans known for harvesting?
Maize.
What crop were the Incas known for harvesting?
Potatoes.
What tribes were located in the Southwest? What were they known for?
Hokokam, Anasazi, Pueblo, etc. Farming, irrigation, multi-storied buildings.
What were the Great Plains tribes known for?
They were Nomadic or sedentary hunters of buffalo. They resided in Tepes. They harvested maize, beans, and squash. They traded amongst other tribes. In the 17th century they gained horses from the Spanish which made hunting across the plains easier.
What were the Midwest tribes known for?
Hunting, fishing, and agriculture. Adena Hopewell’s culture was known for large earth mounds.
Northwest?
They were descendants of Adena Hopewell. Hunting and farming. Frequently needed to move due to their farming methods affecting the soil. Nuts, berries, totem poles.
What was the Iroquois confederation?
A league of five nations consisting of Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk. They were known for creating laws and a democratic government.
Who were the Atlantic Seaboard people (East coast)?
They were descendants of the Woodland mound builders. Known for timber and bark lodgings along rivers.
Why did the Europeans wish to explore the Americas?
- They had the renaissance tech needed to explore. (gunpowder, sailing compasses, lateen sails, etc.)
- Better ships, maps, printing press.
- Roman Catholics felt threatened by the Ottomans
- Spain had recently gained back the Iberian Peninsula from North African Muslims and wished to find people to convert.
- Isabella and Ferdinand had united through their marriage for an even stronger catholic bonding.
What did Columbus do?
Columbus gained the financial support to be able to visit Asia for trading opportunities through maritime exploration. He somehow ended up sailing all the way to the continent of America on an island in the Bahamas. Yeah man, I don’t really get how that happens. Historians argue over if he was legit or just at the right place at the right time to this day. Acknowledged for harming many Native Americans and spreading disease.
What did Vasco Nunez do?
He crossed the Isthmus of Panama.
What did Ferdinand Magellan do?
He navigated the world and went across the East Indies.
What did Herman Cortes do?
He conquered the Aztecs.
What did Francisco Pizzaro do?
He conquered the Incas.
Why was Spain so wealthy during the Renaissance period?
Spanish conquistadors brought back gold and silver from the Americas, resulting in a 500% increase.
What form of government was rising at this time for Europe?
Monarchy.
What is Feudalism and what was Europe converting to?
Feudalism is when people work under a noble on their land in exchange for protection. Due to the arrival of gold and silver at such a high rate, the continent was converting into a capitalist society.
What was the Encomienda system?
The Encomienda system was an unfair use of Native Americans as laborers in exchange for protection and the opportunity to convert to Christianity.
What was the Asiento system?
The Asiento system was a way to bring African Slaves into the Americas by putting a tax on each slave.
Who was John Cabot?
Sponsored by King Henry the 8th, he voyaged to the coast of North America on 1497.
