Unit 1: American Beginnings to 1877

29906 Words120 Pages
Unit 1: American Beginnings to 1877 Ch1: Exploration and the Colonial Era Beginnings to 1763 Study the painting on pg2: What are they thinking? What can happen when one culture imposes its values on another? 1. The Americas, West Africa, and Europe On the eve of their interaction, Native American, West African, and European peoples lived in complex societies. 1. Ancient Cultures in the Americas Hunting and Gathering; Agriculture Develops; Maya, Aztec, and Inca Societies Flourish; Complex Societies Arise in North America 2. Native American Societies of the 1400s Diverse Peoples Pueblo, Iroquois; Common Characteristics trade, attitude toward land, religious beliefs (animism - worship of nature "great spirit") social values - extended families 3. West African Societies of the 1400 Kingdoms of Songhai; Benin and Kongo; West African Culture; Trading Patterns with the Wider World - Islam pg9; The Portuguese - 1440's expansion of trading network to Europe and slavery. 4. European Societies of the 1400s The Social Hierarchy - Monarchy and Aristocracy, social position by birth Christianity Shapes the European Outlook - Crusades fail to take holy land but inspire exploration. Reformation - splitting of Protestant from Catholics - conflicts lead to search for religious freedom. European Nations Take Shape - Portugal, Spain, France, England The Renaissance - meaning rebirth, stimulation of culture, science, art, advanced by introduction of printing process Johann Gutenberg. Europe Enters a new Age of Expansion - search for wealth Gold/Silver development of firearms gives significant them advantage Sailing Technology Improves - Caravel pg 12 compass and astrolabe Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal leads the way. 2. Spanish North America Beginning with the voyage of Christopher Columbus, the

More about Unit 1: American Beginnings to 1877

Open Document