1. The Old and New Worlds
Week 1:

2. Mississippian Culture
Had capital cities, mound builders, small temples
Not among the most complex cultures of the Americas

3. Maya Absorbed by the Aztec
The first major center to evolve in the Americas
No wheel
No iron work
Sophisticated calendar, had a 0
They believed 2012 was the end of the world

4. Aztec Late to Central America War and sacrifice to appease their gods
Polytheistic
Best empire builders when Europeans arrived
Had slavery
In 1519 had the majority of Mexico as their territory (No Mexico exists yet)
Tenochtitlan:
Capital of the Aztecs
On water
Orderly layout, grid pattern

5. Christopher Columbus Italian who sailed for Spain Economic trip 1492
Spices, sugar, ginger, paprika
Trying to get to Asia faster
Technology major part of competition
Astronomy, caravels, astrolabe
1492
Never believed he was in a new place
4 trips over all

6. Amerigo Vespucci Italian who sailed back and forth to New World
German map maker helps him draw out what he finds
Americans named after Amerigo

7. Vikings
Claim to have been first
Wine production attempts

8. Columbian Exchange

9. Small Pox

10. Protestant Reformation
Changes in church structure
People not colonizing in the same areas, bigger issue at home

11. Hernando Cortez
Governor of Cuba refused to allow him to go to the area of Mexico, but he gathered a team and went anyway.
Arrest Warrant
Vera Cruz –landing spot
Burned all but one ship to motivate crew
He is the first conquistador
Finds the Aztecs

12. Montezuma Aztec ruler At first he welcomed the Spanish as gods
Cortez had left to Cuba, and his people were kicked out by the Aztecs who were tired of their plundering
Cortez returns, makes friends with locals who don’t like the Aztecs, and together they conquer then (1524)
Tenochtitlan becomes Mexico, capital of New Spain

13. Alamos and Presidios Fort Military following the missions Mission
Areas set up to convert