Overview
This lecture introduces Period 1 of AP US History (1491-1607), focusing on pre-Columbian societies, European contact, the Columbian Exchange, and resulting social, economic, and political changes.
Native American Migration and Societies
- Native populations migrated to North and South America via the Bering Land Bridge about 35,000 years ago.
- Migration led to thousands of distinct cultural and linguistic groups across the continents.
- Estimated 54 million people lived in the Americas before Columbus arrived in 1492.
Adaptations and Innovations in Native Societies
- Native groups developed diverse societies by adapting to varied environments.
- Agricultural innovation included "Three Sisters" farming: corn, squash, and beans grown together for mutual benefit.
- Potatoes (from South America) were an important, nutritious crop.
- Civilizations like the Aztecs, Incas, and Maya modified their environments (e.g., irrigation, terrace farming, large stone structures).
The Columbian Exchange
- Columbian Exchange connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas, trading crops, disease, livestock, and people.
- European diseases like smallpox devastated indigenous populations.
- Crops from the Americas (corn, potatoes) increased European populations; sugarcane from Europe/Africa transformed Caribbean agriculture.
- Political changes occurred as European conquerors (conquistadors) toppled native empires.
European Expansion and Competition
- Spanish and Portuguese rivalry led to the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), dividing the New World between them.
- Portuguese acquired Brazil, while Spain claimed much of the Americas.
- Success in the Americas inspired further European exploration.
Social, Demographic, and Economic Changes
- New World crops caused population growth in Europe, leading to surplus population and more exploration.
- Gold and silver from the Americas fueled the rise of capitalism and modern banking.
- Spanish used coerced labor from natives for mining precious metals.
Divergent Worldviews: Natives vs. Europeans
- Native groups varied in land use, often favoring spiritual and sustainable practices.
- Some practiced controlled burning or built permanent dwellings in harmony with the environment.
- Gender roles differed, with matrilineal systems among some tribes, unlike European patriarchal norms.
- Europeans prioritized extraction of resources, spreading Christianity, and acquiring glory through conquest.
- Religious views were diverse among natives, but Europeans focused on spreading Christianity.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Bering Land Bridge — land connection enabling migration from Asia to the Americas during the Ice Age.
- Three Sisters Farming — agricultural system growing corn, squash, and beans together for efficiency and nutrition.
- Columbian Exchange — transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and people between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
- Treaty of Tordesillas — 1494 agreement dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.
- Conquistador — Spanish conqueror of the Americas.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review lecture notes and key concepts from Period 1 (1491-1607).
- Prepare to explain the context for European encounters in the Americas.
- Complete any assigned readings on pre-Columbian societies and the Columbian Exchange.