1. Early North American Cultures

2. First Routes to America Turn to page 5 in your text Settlements were believed to have begun as early as thirty-thousand years ago. The Earth’s climate at the time assisted in this with huge melting glaciers created land bridges for early inhabitants to travel upon. After the extinction of large land animals the populations began to turn to agriculture to survive

3. Aztecs Thanks to the agricultural revolution these Native Americans living in Mexico and central America were able to thrive. The Aztecs like other cultures in the area built large cities and formed government bureaucracies. Just before Columbus's expedition these war like people swept through the Valley of Mexico conquering their rivals.

4. Aztec Architecture

5. Eastern Woodland Culture Growing groups on the North East Coast. Cultivated maize and hunted and fished. One the well known tribes the Algonquians was forced to disperse during changing climates. They would find themselves in competition with other tribes in the Great Lakes and upper St. Lawrence valley.

6. A World Transformed The large arrival of settlers altered Native American Culture. Villages on the Atlantic Coast experienced the most drastic change to their daily life. Accountants of contact with settlers give us the idea that they were just as curious as their counterparts. Unlike myths Native cultures were likely not to be very hostile. What they would desire most is peaceful trade. Especially for the technological advances they did not have. Natives would eventually find themselves in debt for these items and would end up hunting far more aggressively.

7. Early Communication Communication was always an ordeal and occurred through sign language. Europeans felt they were held in high regard, as well as trying to “civilize” Native Americans Most Natives listened patiently but usually rejected European values.

8. The Columbian Exchange Within a generation of initial contact with Europeans the Carib Indians(Who gave the Caribbean its name) were virtually extinct. The Columbian Exchange was an transformation were European conquerors exposed Natives to several fatal diseases. The Natives introduced them to Corn and potatoes

9. West Africa The Portuguese were the first to explore the African coast. A mixed belief system of Islam and traditional beliefs Several populous states had loose control of areas. Portuguese came to Africa for slaves and gold. The story of the new world is much more about the migration of people from Africa than Europe.

10. The legend of the New World As the idea of exploring the west grew sop did the legend. Many of the myths were based in mythology

11. Columbus Columbus originally offered his plan to the Portuguese who turned him down. Instead Spain accepted his proposal envious of Portugal. In search for Asia Columbus stumbled upon the Bahamas Two years after Columbus's discovery Portugal and France would fight over owner ship of this area ending in the Treaty of Tordesillas.

12. The Conquistadores and the Aztecs Conquistadores were men eager for personal glory and material gain. After Columbus's journey their imaginations could only run wild. 1518 Cortez a court clerk would lead small army to verify Stories of treasure in Mexico. He would scuttle his own ships to make sure his men would not retreat.

14. Conquest of the Aztecs Cortez had clear technological superiority of the Aztecs. It would only help that the Aztecs had never seen horses or men in armor. They also believed Cortes and his men were sent by the Gods. This victory plus the Spanish success in South America temporarily made Spain the wealthiest European country.

15. French Claim To Canada French interest in the new world grew slowly. The original idea was the search for a short water route to china via the north west passage. First man to be sent was Giovanni da Verrazano. 1534 Cartier was sent who found a promising water way. He would travel from Gulf of the Saint Lawrence to modern day Montreal. Champlain would then be sent to investigate which led to the founding of Quebec.

16. The English Enter the Fray. 1497 Cabot Arrives in the New World During the Protestant Reformation England view Spain as its greatest enemy. Henry’s Problem Martin Luther and his thesis Queen Elizabeth takes control 15 70 Interest in the New World Reappears