Turning Point: European Conquests of the Americas

European Societies Around 1492 Social Hierarchy – Based on rank Monarchs/Nobles Artisans/Merchants Peasants (Majority of the population) What was the feudal system? Who was the exception to social mobility? Most European, like most Native Americans and most Africans, lived in small villages, bound to the land and to ancient traditions. Middle Age feudal system – nobility offered peasants land/protection in exchange for livestock/crops. Most individuals could not move beyond the position into which they were born. Ordained by God. Exception – Artisans & Merchants – people who created and traded goods for money. The profit they earned from trade would make them a valuable source of tax revenue and Monarchs needed them to finance costly overseas exploration and expansion.

Christianity Shapes the European Outlook Roman Catholic Church dominates with great political and spiritual authority Salvation & Conversion What was the Reconquista? What were the Crusades? And what were the three significant consequences? Hand in hand with the belief in salvation was the call to convert people of other faiths. This missionary call spurred Europe to reach out beyond its borders first to defend, and then to spread, the faith. Spanish Christians (under Ferdinand & Isabella) had reconquered most of the Iberian peninsula from the Muslims Spain stood ready to assert itself internationally and to spread Christianity around the globe. Impacted exploration by Sparking an increase in trade, as crusaders returned home with a new taste for products from Asia. Crusades weakened the power of European nobles, many of whom lost their lives or fortunes in the wars. Monarchs took power and began sponsoring overseas exploration in order to increase their wealth and power. Decline in the power of the Pope. Failure of the Crusades weakened the prestige of the papacy – which had led the quest.

Changes come to Europe Rise of Nations - Portugal, Spain, France, and England. Monarchs needed money to maintain standing armies and large bureaucracies. Solution: Overseas wealth The Renaissance attitude – Dream 4 Glory! Crusades weakened nobility and strengthened monarchies. Four major nations were taking shape in western Europe. Only a king or queen of a unified nation had enough power and resources to finance overseas exploration. The Renaissance encouraged people to regard themselves as individuals, to have confidence in human capabilities, and to look forward to the fame their achievements might bring. This attitude prompted many to seek glory through adventure, discovery, and conquest.

Europe Enters a New Age of Expansion Europeans seek alternatives to land routes New Technology: Printing Press, Gunpowder, Compass and Astrolabe Prince Henry the Navigator (what country?) Dias navigated around the tip of ________ De Gama reached __________ Portuguese traders were able to cut their costs and increase their profits Travel to Asia by land for European merchants was both expensive and dangerous. Reexamined the maps drawn by ancient geographers to find water routes to Asia. Ships were easily blown off course, but with new navigation tools, they were able to sail across unchartered waters. Prince Henry from Portugal created a sailing school and sponsored early voyages. Africa India By sailing around Africa to eastern Asia via the Indian Ocean, Portuguese traders cut costs and increase profits. Columbus traveled from nation to nation with his own collection of maps and figures. He believed that there was an even shorter route to Asia – one that lay west across the Atlantic.

Who am I?

Christopher Columbus August 3, 1492 – Columbus and three ships sail from Spain Born in Italy and sailed for Spain Purpose: Sail to Asia (India) by going west across the Atlantic instead of around Africa (Portuguese) Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria Recall: His daring plan was to sail WEST to Asia by crossing the Atlantic Ocean And with that, he embarked on a voyage that changed the course of history

Columbus View of the World What’s the problem with his view?

Why Explore? Motives (Reasons) for Exploration = G_____, G______, G_____

Why Explore? GOLD = more land and new markets (people to buy goods) __________ took the risk of setting sail because the payoff could be huge. If an explorer found new land, he would be paid in ___________ and riches by the king & queen. On his 2nd day in the Americas, Columbus said, “I have been very attentive and have tried very hard to find out if there is any gold here.” Explorers; Gold

Why Explore? GOD Spread ______________ to new lands. God would reward them for bringing religious beliefs to the peoples of the ____________. Columbus, “In every place I have entered, islands and lands, I have always planted a _______.” Christianity; Americas; Cross

Why Explore? GLORY Power for exploring nation Found in the adventure and in the land they might claim, making them rich ______ instead of poor _________. Columbus, “It was my wish to bypass no island without taking possession for ________.” Lords; Sailors; Spain

More Columbus Set off to find a quicker route to the ______ _______. Crew was near mutiny when land was sighted. Landed near present day _________ – although he thought he was in the West Indies Indigenous people called themselves the ______ (“noble ones”). He called them something else… Los Indios…..translation: _________….WHY???? Thus began the move from the Old World (Europe) to the New World (Americas) West Indies; Bahamas; Taino (Tie-No); Indians After meeting the Taino, he renamed their island San Salvador – which means “Holy Savior” and claimed it for Spain The term “Los Indios” means Indians – a word mistakenly applied to all the diverse peoples of the Americas.\ Columbus was no longer an explorer when he was sent out again in 1493 – this time – he was an empire builder.

European Exploration and Colonization of the New World Spain Who: Columbus, Cortez, Pizzarro, Coronada Where: Caribbean Island, Mexico, South America, Florida Purpose: Take resources off the land and Christianizing the Native American Relations w/ Native Americans: Violent and oppressive

European Exploration and Colonization of the New World France Who: Cartier, Champlain, LaSalle, Marquette, Joliet Where: Canada, Great lakes, Mississippi River, Caribbean Islands Purpose: Trade with the Native Americans and Christianizing Relations w/ Native Americans: Friendly

European Exploration and Colonization of the New World Holland (The Dutch) Who: Peter Minuet, Henry Hudson Where: Area around NY, NJ, & Delaware, Caribbean Islands Purpose: Trade with the Native Americans Relations w/ Native Americans: Friendly

European Exploration and Colonization of the New World England Who: J. Cabot, S. Cabot, Henry Hudson Where: East coast of North America, Hudson Bay, Caribbean Islands Purpose: Want the resources and to take the land for surplus (extra) population Relations w/ Native Americans: Violent

Comparing Three Worlds American Indians Europeans West Africans What were their religious beliefs? Nature-based Spiritual relationship between man and Earth Christianity Everyone should be Christian Islam (in some areas) Nature-based (in other places) What was their government? tribes (simple) confederations empires (complex) nations and kings beginning to have ideas about individual rights Kingdoms w/ rulers Council of elders What were their economic systems? Communal ownership of land Live in harmony with land -- use it to sustain life and not to create wealth Private ownership of property Labor + land = wealth Communal ownership of land Extensive trade in a variety of goods What kind of technology did they have? Bows, arrows, spears and tomahawks Simple farming and hunting tools Advanced weaponry, including guns, cannons and armor Navigational abilities Depending on area – simple farming tools or complex trading equipment

Impact of Discovery Colonization – The establishment of distant settlements controlled by parent country. Often times natives were forced into work on plantations Europeans brought many new diseases with them to the New World…..

Disease is BAD! What will the Europeans do??? Population decrease estimates between 1/3 and 1/2 of native population. Decrease in population means decrease in workforce. What will the Europeans do???

Slave Trade Begins With so many Natives dying of disease, Europeans turned to the slave trade to replenish labor force. Africans were more resistant to Old World disease and less familiar with New World (less likely to escape). Europeans began using these slaves in the New World.

The Columbian Exchange An exchange of living things between the Old World (Europe) and the New World (North America)

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