APUSH Unit 1 Period 1 (1491–1607)

APUSH Unit 1: Period 1 (1491–1607) ●​ Southwest (e.g., Pueblo, Anasazi): Cultivated maize (corn), leading to economic development, advanced irrigation systems, and social diversification. ●​ Great Basin and Great Plains (e.g., Ute, Sioux): Due to arid climates and lack of natural resources, these societies developed mobile lifestyles, relying on hunting and gathering. ●​ Northeast and Mississippi River Valley (e.g., Iroquois, Algonquian): Practiced mixed agriculture and hunting-gathering, leading to the development of permanent villages. ●​ Northwest and California (e.g., Chinook, Chumash): Utilized abundant ocean resources, leading to complex societies with distinct social hierarchies. ●​ Motivations for European Exploration "God, Gold, and Glory": Desire to spread Christianity, acquire wealth, and gain national prestige drove European nations to explore and colonize the Americas. ●​ The Columbian Exchange ○​ From the Americas to Europe: Introduction of crops like maize, potatoes, and tomatoes, which led to population growth in Europe. ○​ From Europe to the Americas: Introduction of livestock (horses, pigs), grains, and diseases (smallpox, measles), which had devastating effects on Native populations. ●​ Impact on Native Populations ○​ Disease: European diseases led to significant declines in Native American populations. ○​ Labor Systems: The encomienda system forced Native Americans into labor for Spanish colonists, leading to exploitation and further population decline. ●​ Cultural Exchanges and Conflicts ○​ Religion: Europeans sought to convert Native Americans to Christianity, often leading to resistance and conflict. ○​ Land and Power: Differing views on land ownership and governance led to misunderstandings and disputes between Europeans and Native Americans. ●​ Introduction of African Slavery ○​ Transatlantic Slave Trade: Due to labor shortages and declining Native populations, Europeans began importing African slaves to work in the Americas. ○​ Many Europeans (especially the Spanish) believed they were bringing salvation to Native Americans by converting them to Christianity. ○​ The "Requerimiento" was a Spanish legal document that gave a religious rationale for conquest. ●​ Racial Superiority: ○​ Spanish and other Europeans often viewed Native Americans as "uncivilized" or inferior. ○​ Led to debates like the Valladolid Debate (1550–1551): ○​ Bartolomé de las Casas argued that Natives were capable of reason and should be treated humanely. ○​ Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda claimed Natives were “natural slaves” and that conquest was justified. ●​ Encomienda System: ○​ Spanish system granting land and Native labor to colonists. ○​ In practice, it became a form of enslavement. ○​ Replaced eventually by African slavery as the Native population declined due to disease and overwork. ●​ Native Resistance and Adaptation ●​ Active Resistance: ○​ Some tribes resisted conquest violently (e.g., Pueblo Revolt in 1680, though this is technically post-1607). ○​ Passive Resistance: ○​ Cultural preservation, refusal to convert, slowing down work, fleeing settlements. ●​ Adaptation: ○​ Some Native groups adopted European goods (e.g., horses from the Spanish) to enhance mobility and warfare. ○​ Political alliances were formed to manipulate rival European powers for trade or military advantage Imperialist Motives and Ideas power Colonization style Relationship with natives Economic Focus Spain Centralized, Mission Driven Economedia system, forced conversation Gold, silver mines, encomiendas France Trade focus, decentralized Friendly Intermarriages Fur Trade Netherlands Trade, economic Commercial relationships Fur Trade Posts (New Amsterdam) England Settler Colonies Initial cooperation, later conflict Agriculture, Mercantilism. Native Societies Region Tribes Environment Lifestyle & Adaptations Southwest Pueblo, Hopi, Zuni Arid, desert-like - Developed irrigation systems for maize agriculture (e.g., Anasazi). - Built multi-story stone homes. Great Basin / Plains Ute, Shoshone / Sioux, Comanche Arid (Basin) / Grasslands (Plains) - Nomadic lifestyle; hunted bison. - Lived in teepees; adapted to lack of natural resources. Northeast​ Iroquois, Algonquian Forested, seasonal climate​ - - Mixed agriculture and hunting. - Developed longhouses and confederacies (e.g., Iroquois Confederacy). Mississippi Valley Cahokia, Natchez River valleys, fertile soil - Built large mound structures. - Complex societies with trade and agriculture. Northwest Coast Chinook, Tlingit, Haida Coastal, temperate rainforest​ - Rich ocean resources (salmon, whales). - Totem poles, plank houses, social hierarchies. California Chumash, Pomo​ Mild climate, diverse environments - Hunter-gatherers with some fishing. - Semi-permanent villages and trade networks. Southeast Creek, Choctaw, Cherokee​ Fertile land, forests - Agricultural communities. - Towns with central plazas; complex religious and political systems Cultural and Political Characteristics ●​ Agriculture ​ ​ ​ ○ ○ ○ Social Structure ○ Some groups (e.g., Cahokia) had rigid class systems and chiefs. ○ Others like the Iroquois Confederacy had matrilineal societies and democratic councils. ​ ​ ​ ● Maize (corn) cultivation originated in present-day Mexico and spread northward. Allowed for sedentary societies with population growth and specialization. Especially important in Southwest and Mississippi Valley regions. Trade Networks ○ Long-distance trade routes existed before Europeans arrived: ○ Chumash traded marine goods inland. ○ Mississippian culture traded across the Mississippi River Valley. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ● ● Religion & Cosmology ○ Animistic beliefs: spirits in nature (animals, plants, celestial bodies). ○ Religious leaders (shamans) were important. ○ Communal rituals tied to agriculture and nature. ● Political Organization ○ Ranged from small kin-based bands to large, complex chiefdoms and confederacies. ○ Iroquois Confederacy (upstate New York): ○ Alliance of 5 (later 6) tribes. ○ Unified decision-making on war/peace. ○ Influenced early American democratic ideas. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ●