Overview
This lecture covers the state of the Americas before Columbus's arrival in 1492, challenging common misconceptions about Native American societies and their environments.
Pre-Columbian Population & Societies
- Native American populations in 1491 were much larger and more complex than previously believed.
- Many societies built large cities, such as the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán, rivaling European cities of the time.
- Mesoamerican civilizations developed advanced agriculture, calendars, and writing systems.
Environmental Impact
- Native Americans managed landscapes actively using techniques like burning, irrigation, and terracing.
- The Amazon rainforest contained evidence of ancient, human-modified soils known as “terra preta.”
- Much of what Europeans saw as untouched wilderness was actually shaped by centuries of indigenous activity.
European Misconceptions & Aftermath
- Early European settlers underestimated Native populations due to disease-induced declines before large-scale contact.
- Infectious diseases like smallpox decimated indigenous peoples, leading to dramatic population loss.
- The myth of an empty, “pristine” New World persisted due to these rapid post-contact changes.
Re-evaluating History
- Modern archaeology and science are revising earlier views, emphasizing the complexity and impact of Native societies.
- Historians now recognize pre-Columbian America as urbanized and ecologically sophisticated, not sparsely inhabited.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Pre-Columbian — referring to the Americas before Columbus’s arrival in 1492.
- Tenochtitlán — capital city of the Aztecs, located in present-day Mexico City.
- Terra preta — fertile, human-created soil found in the Amazon, showing intensive agriculture.
- Mesoamerica — region including central and southern Mexico and Central America, home to advanced pre-Columbian civilizations.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read the full article “1491” for additional examples and case studies.
- Prepare notes on how European contact changed indigenous populations and environments for next class.