New World Beginnings 33,000 B.C. – A.D. 1783 Pageant Chapter 1

1) Part 1 – Intro / Key Questions How did the New World colonists change from being part of Britain to embracing a vision of being an independent nation? How did they overcome the conflicts that divided them? How did they unite against the empire of Great Britain and declare themselves to be the “American” people?

2) The Earliest Americans 1) The Natives arrived ca. 35,000 – 10,000 years ago through the Bering Strait from Europe / Asia. 2) By 1492 – perhaps 54 million people were inhabiting North and South America 3) “Three-sister” farming – beans, corn, and squash – the main crops of the New World

Bering Strait Today

Three Sisters

3. Direct and Indirect Discovery of America The discovery of the New World began with an obsession with all things Asian. The Crusades – 11th – 14th Century – Holy Wars btw. Europe and Asia. During this time, Europe was introduced to Asian goods and they wanted more. Marco Polo Italian traveller who went to China for 22 years. Returned to Italy in 1295 and told his tales – increased interest. Europe’s taste for exotic goods They began to sail to Asia for trade to get these goods.

Marco Polo

The Voyage of Columbus – What factors led to it? 1) Portuguese exploration – made everyone realize that long range voyages were possible. 2) The Renaissance – 15th century – led to an increase in scientific knowledge / curiosity 3) COMPETITION between the major nation states for wealth and glory.

Christopher Columbus

New Technology – The Mariner’s Compass

An Interdependent Global System A global trade system came from the age of exploration with major continents playing a part Europe – Sent out explorations and received raw materials for manufacturing Africa – supplied slave labor in exchange for manufactured goods America – colonies sent raw materials to Europe

The Triangular Trade

4) Worlds Collide The exchange of new goods, plants, and animals between the Eastern and Western hemispheres America to Europe – Corn, potatoes, tobacco Europe to America – horses, cattle, sugar

The Beginning of the End of Native Dominance Military defeat was not the main cause of the decimation of the Native American population of the Americas Disease was responsible for 90% of Native American deaths The Holocaust Similarity? Enslavement and murder was prevalent; white superiority Difference? Disease was the main killer; at times it was unintentional

Disease and Decimation Why was the effect of sickness so much harder on the natives? In the Americas, they were isolated from deadly plagues. Europe and Asia had already suffered through many plagues in history and had grown used to sicknesses. Some however did affect the Europeans – syphilis and dystentery.

Spanish Conquistadors Ponce De Leon – 1513 – explored Florida and Panama Hernan Cortes – 1519 – Cuba and Mexico Hernando de Soto – 1539-42 – the Mississippi River Franciso Coronado – 1540-42 – Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, and the Colorado River

Early Spanish Explorations

Spanish vs. English Colonization Spanish colonial establishment was richer and larger Spanish colonies lasted much longer than English ones Spanish intermarried and fused their culture with the natives instead of shunning and isolating