US History: Early Globalization - The Atlantic World (1492-1650)

Introduction

• Atlantic World: Story of global migration driven by European rulers.
• 1492 Columbus' Landing: Sparked European rivalries for the New World.
• Impact on Native Americans: Suffered due to diseases and European conquest.

2.1 Portuguese Exploration and Spanish Conquest

Portuguese Exploration

• Prince Henry the Navigator: Led exploration in the 1400s.
• Atlantic Islands Colonization: Canary, Cape Verde, Azores, Madeira.
• Empire Expansion: Africa, India, Brazil.
• Slave Trade: Introduced African slaves for sugar plantations.
• Elmina Castle: Built in Ghana for trading gold and later slaves.

Spanish Exploration and Conquest

• Spain vs Portugal: Ferdinand and Isabella’s reign unified Spain.
• 1492 Columbus' Expedition: Led by Spanish, discovered Bahamas.
• Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): Divided new lands between Spain and Portugal.
• Hernán Cortés: Conquered the Aztec Empire.
• Francisco Pizarro: Conquered the Inca Empire.

2.2 Religious Upheavals in the Developing Atlantic World

Protestant Reformation

• Martin Luther: Criticized Catholic Church; led to Lutheranism.
• John Calvin: Advocated for Bible accessibility; led to Calvinism.
• Protestantism in England: Led to formation of the Church of England by Henry VIII.
• Puritans: Sought further reform; fled to New World to escape persecution.

Religious War

• Catholic Spain vs Protestant Nations: Spain sought to eradicate Protestantism.
• Spanish Armada (1588): Defeat marked decline of Spanish dominance.
• Religious Intolerance: Characterized by violence like St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572).

2.3 Challenges to Spain's Supremacy

English Exploration

• John Cabot: Explored North America for England.
• Roanoke Colony (1584): Failed attempt at settlement.
• Joint-Stock Companies: Facilitated colonization efforts.

French Exploration

• Jacques Cartier: Explored Canada, claimed for France.
• Samuel de Champlain: Founded Quebec, allied with Native tribes.

Dutch Colonization

• Dutch Republic: Established New Netherlands, focused on trade.

2.4 New Worlds in the Americas: Labor, Commerce, and the Columbian Exchange

Labor Systems

• Encomienda System: Spanish exploitation of Native labor.
• African Slavery: Became prominent in sugar and tobacco industries.

Commerce and Mercantilism

• Mercantilism: Colonies existed to benefit mother country (Spain).
• Commodification: Native resources became European commodities.

Columbian Exchange

• Plants, Animals, Diseases: Transferred between continents.
• Impact on Native Populations: Devastated by disease, led to Mourning Wars.

Resources

• OpenStax textbooks and audio book available for further learning.