Heimlich's History: Unit 1 AP US History

Introduction

• Overview of Unit 1: Societal makeup of the Americas before European arrival and the impact of European colonization.
• Part of a larger review pack for the AP US History exam.

Native American Societies Before European Arrival

• Native Americans were diverse, not monolithic.
• Varied lifestyles based on the environment:
  • Pueblo People (Utah, Colorado): Farmers with advanced irrigation, built urban centers.
  • Great Basin/Plains: Nomadic hunter-gatherers, e.g., the Ute people.
  • Northwest/Coastal: Permanent settlements due to abundant resources, e.g., Chumash and Chinook.
  • Iroquois (Northeast): Farmers, communal living in long houses.
  • Mississippi River Valley: Rich soil farming, notable group - Cahokia with centralized government.
• Complex societies affected by their environment, with vast trading networks.

European Arrival and Exploration

• European Context (1300s-1400s):
  • Political unification and stronger centralized monarchies.
  • Desire for Asian luxury goods; land routes controlled by Muslims led to sea exploration.
• Portugal's Role:
  • Trading post empire around Africa, led Indian Ocean trade.
  • Use of maritime technologies like astrolabe, caravel ships with lateen sails.
• Spain's Entry:
  • Following Portugal, Spain sought new opportunities post-Reconquista.
  • Christopher Columbus (1492): Set out to find Asian wealth; landed in the Caribbean.

The Columbian Exchange

• Defined as the exchange of people, animals, plants, and diseases between hemispheres.
• From Americas to Europe: Potatoes, maize, tomatoes ("amazing" maize joke repeated).
• From Europe to Americas: Wheat, rice, cattle, pigs, horses.
• Diseases: Europeans brought smallpox to the Americas, devastating native populations.

Economic and Societal Shifts

• Impact on Europe: Shift from feudalism to capitalism aided by joint-stock companies.
• Spain in the Americas:
  • Encomienda System: Forced native labor for agriculture and mining.
  • Problems led to African slave labor due to disease and escape issues among natives.
  • Casta System: Racial hierarchy introduced by Spaniards.

Cultural Interactions and Justifications

• European and Native Relations:
  • Natives taught Europeans survival techniques.
  • Europeans introduced tools and livestock.
• Justifications for Exploitation:
  • Europeans viewed Native Americans as inferior; used biblical justification for African slavery.
  • Key Figures: Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda vs. Bartolomé de las Casas advocating for native rights.

Conclusion

• Essential knowledge for AP US History Unit 1.
• Encouragement to use review materials for exam success.