Chapter 1, Section 1 Settlement of the Americas The earliest Americans came from the continent of Asia. A “land bridge” between Asia and North America allowed migration, the movement of people for the purpose of settling in a new place. That land bridge, now covered with water, is known as the Bering Strait. These ancient Americans and their descendants are known as Native Americans, or Indians. Over time, Native American societies settled in different areas and developed a variety of languages and customs.

Native Americans and Land Native Americans did not trade, buy, or sell land. They believed that land was part of nature and could not be owned. The Europeans who arrived in North America in the 1400s did not understand these Indian attitudes about land. Fundamental differences in beliefs about land would have lasting consequences for both the Native Americans and the European settlers. Chapter 1, Section 1

Who is this man?

Christopher Columbus In 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain granted Christopher Columbus the title of noble and agreed to sponsor his journey. Spanish nobles and clergy wanted his mission to succeed for several reasons: –The people of any new non-Christian lands would be ripe for conversion to Catholicism. –An easier western route to Asia would give Spanish traders an advantage over Portuguese traders. In 1492, Columbus set off with three ships, the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. A month after setting sail, he and his crew landed in the Bahamas, instead of Asia. So Christopher Columbus did arrive in the Americas? But why is it a myth that he discovered it? Furthermore, does Christopher Columbus really deserve his own holiday? Chapter 1, Section 4

Why Columbus? Columbus is 1 of only 2 people the U.S. honors by name in a national holiday. He is treated as a hero. His name is used to divide time: “pre-Columbian” = pre 1492 America. Why was he successful? Wealth of Spain, & advances in military technology.

The Columbus Myth Christopher Columbus didn’t “discover” America, because the Americas were already heavily populated with Native Americans. Also, he was not in America proper, but on the island of Hispaniola.

The Columbus Myth He was also not the 1 st European to reach the Americas. In 1005, the Vikings set up a colony in Vineland (their name for New England) and Canada. The Vikings abandoned the colony after conflict with the Native Americans.

The Columbus Myth Columbus was not a hero. “After we had rested for several days in our settlement, it seemed to the Lord Admiral (Columbus) that it was time to put into execution his desire to search for gold, which was the main reason he had started on so great a voyage.” Michele de Cuneo.

The Columbus Myth After “discovering” an island and encountering the natives, the Spaniards would read aloud what came to be called “the Requirement.” –“I implore you to recognize the Church as a lady and in the name of the Pope take the King as lord of this land and obey his mandates. If you do not do it, I tell you that with the help of God I will enter powerfully against you all. I will make war everywhere and every way that I can. I will subject you to the yoke & obedience to the Church and to his majesty. I will take your women and children and make them slaves… The deaths and injuries that you will receive from here on will be your own fault and not that of his majesty.” After reading this, the Spaniards felt free to do whatever they wanted with the people they just “discovered.”

So what did Columbus do? Columbus introduced 2 phenomena that revolutionized race relations and transformed the modern world: the taking of land, wealth, and labor from Native Americans, leading to their extermination and slave trade.

The “Columbian Exchange”  Squash  Avocado  Peppers  Sweet Potatoes  Turkey  Pumpkin  Tobacco  Quinine  Cocoa  Pineapple  Cassava  POTATO  Peanut  TOMATO  Vanilla  MAIZE  Syphilis  Olive  COFFEE BEAN  Banana  Rice  Onion  Turnip  Honeybee  Barley  Grape  Peach  SUGAR CANE  Oats  Citrus Fruits  Pear  Wheat  HORSE  Cattle  Sheep  Pigs  Smallpox  Flu  Typhus  Measles  Malaria  Diptheria  Whooping Cough  Trinkets  Liquor  GUNS

So who really discovered America? Again, no one discovered it, but Ponce de Leon set up a Spanish colony in Florida in the 1500’s. The French set up their 1 st successful colony in Quebec in But it was the British who dominated in North America.

Sources Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY: powerpointpalooza.netMs. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY: powerpointpalooza.net Pathways to the PresentPathways to the Present Passing the Georgia U.S. History EOCTPassing the Georgia U.S. History EOCT