America Before Columbus & Early European Exploration

But First… North America The “Land Bridge” – 40,000 years ago??? Is it correct?

Cultures of North America In 1492… estimates: fewer than 1 million to more than 10 million inhabitants Most settlements semi-permanent, fewer than 300 people Agriculture: corn, beans, tobacco, etc. Hunting for nomadic tribes

Larger Native Societies Pueblos in the Southwest

Larger Native Societies Mound builders (Cahokia – 30,000!)

Larger Native Societies Woodland natives east of Mississippi River (e.g. League of the Iroquois)

Central & South America Maya (300AD-800AD)

Central & South America Aztec

Central & South America Inca

Why and how did they explore the Americas? Now… Europe Why and how did they explore the Americas?

Improvements in Technology Renaissance  artistic & scientific creativity Use of gunpowder, compass, improved ships & maps Printing press spread ideas across Europe

Religious Conflict Reconquista - Catholic victory in Spain over Muslims Ferdinand & Isabella marry, unite Spain Reconquest finished in 1492

Religious Conflict Protestant Reformation (revolt) in Northern Europe splits the Church Protestants & Catholics desire to spread their religion across the world

Developing Nation-States Monarchs gaining power in Spain, Portugal, France, England, Netherlands Need revenue to run their countries  need for trade

Expanding Trade Increased trade w/ Africa, India, China Italians & Ottoman Turk middle men Others sought new route to avoid middlemen

Portugal Gets It Going… Prince Henry the Navigator Vasco de Gama  India

Spain Takes the Lead Columbus gains funding from Spain to search for a westward passage to Asia

Dividing the World Conflict between Catholic countries over colonies resolved

Spanish Explorations & Conquests Balboa  Panama/Pacific Ocean Magellan  Circumnavigate the world Cortez  Aztecs Pizzaro  Incas Conquistadores Increased World’s gold supply by 500%! Encomienda System (Native Americans) Asiento system (African Slaves)

Other Explorers

English Claims Henry VIII and Elizabeth I challenge Spain John Cabot explored Newfoundland 1497 Sir Francis Drake & Sir Walter Raleigh England defeats the Spanish Armada

French Claims Cartier and Verrazano explore the east coast and St. Lawrence River, claim for France Busy repressing the French Huguenots (Calvinists/Protestants) Samuel de Champlain established Quebec 1608 “New France” Louis Jolliet, Jacques Marquette, Robert de la Salle add Mississippi River region

Dutch Claims Henry Hudson sought Northwest Passage, claimed Hudson River for the Netherlands  New Amsterdam/New Netherlands Dutch West India (joint-stock) Company takes charge of New Netherlands

English and French Claims - 1645 Plymouth Jamestown

The Columbian Exchange Europeans and Native Americans had developed differently for 1000s of years Contact led to an exchange of plants, foods, diseases (est. 90% casualty rate) Significant, permanent changes to the WORLD