APUSH: Period 1, 1491-1607 - European Exploration in the Americas

Why This Matters

European Exploration in the Americas is a pivotal event in world history that shaped the modern world. It is significant for understanding the larger period of globalization, imperialism, and the complex relationships between European powers, indigenous peoples, and the environment. This topic is connected to the AP theme of Migration and Exchange, as the exploration and colonization of the Americas led to the displacement and marginalization of native populations, the transfer of goods, ideas, and cultures, and the creation of new global networks.

Key Events & People

• Christopher Columbus (1451-1506): Italian explorer sponsored by the Spanish monarchs, who led the first European expedition to the Americas in 1492.
• Vasco da Gama (1469-1524): Portuguese explorer who discovered the sea route to India in 1498, establishing a new trade route between Europe and Asia.
• Hernán Cortés (1485-1547): Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521.
• Francisco Pizarro (1478-1541): Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire in 1533.
• The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): A treaty between Spain and Portugal that divided the New World between the two powers.
• The Spanish Main (16th century): A region in the Caribbean and Central America that was a major hub for Spanish colonization and trade.
• The Columbian Exchange (15th-16th centuries): The transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds, which had a profound impact on the environment and human populations.
• The Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834): A tribunal established by the Spanish monarchs to root out heresy and enforce Catholic orthodoxy in the New World.
• The Aztec Empire (1325-1521): A powerful and complex empire that flourished in Mesoamerica before the arrival of the Spanish.
• The Inca Empire (1438-1533): A vast and sophisticated empire that stretched from modern-day Colombia to Chile before the arrival of the Spanish.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The desire for new trade routes and resources led European powers to sponsor exploratory expeditions.
• Effect: The discovery of the New World led to the colonization of the Americas and the transfer of goods, ideas, and cultures.
• Long-term consequence: The Columbian Exchange and the transfer of diseases had a profound impact on the environment and human populations, leading to the decline of native populations and the rise of European dominance.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Colonialism*: The practice of one country establishing settlements and exercising control over another country or territory.
• *Imperialism*: The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or economic means.
• *Treaty of Tordesillas*: A treaty between Spain and Portugal that divided the New World between the two powers.
• *Columbian Exchange*: The transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.
• *Conquistador*: A Spanish or Portuguese explorer or soldier who conquered and settled in the New World.
• *Aztec Empire*: A powerful and complex empire that flourished in Mesoamerica before the arrival of the Spanish.
• *Inca Empire*: A vast and sophisticated empire that stretched from modern-day Colombia to Chile before the arrival of the Spanish.
• *Spanish Main*: A region in the Caribbean and Central America that was a major hub for Spanish colonization and trade.
• *Encomienda*: A system of labor and tribute imposed on native populations by Spanish colonizers.
• *Missionary*: A person who travels to a foreign country to spread their faith and convert others to their religion.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1492, not 1494.
• Correction: The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494, dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.
• What students often get wrong: Christopher Columbus was the first European to reach the Americas.
• Correction: While Columbus was the first European to reach the Americas, he was not the first to reach the Caribbean, as the Vikings had established a settlement in present-day Canada around 1000 AD.
• What students often get wrong: The Spanish Inquisition was established to root out heresy in the New World.
• Correction: The Spanish Inquisition was established to root out heresy in Spain, but it was also used to enforce Catholic orthodoxy in the New World.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Document-Based Question (DBQ): Analyze the impact of European exploration on the indigenous populations of the Americas. Be sure to include specific examples from the Aztec and Inca Empires.
  • Evidence: The writings of Hernán Cortés, the accounts of Spanish conquistadors, and the archaeological evidence of the decline of native populations.
• Long Essay Question (LEQ): Compare and contrast the colonization of the Americas by Spain and Portugal. Be sure to include specific examples from the Spanish Main and the Treaty of Tordesillas.
  • Evidence: The writings of Vasco da Gama, the accounts of Spanish and Portuguese colonizers, and the archaeological evidence of the impact of colonization on native populations.

Quick Self-Check

1. Who was the first European to reach the Americas?
   • Answer: Christopher Columbus
   • Explanation: While Columbus was the first European to reach the Americas, he was not the first to reach the Caribbean, as the Vikings had established a settlement in present-day Canada around 1000 AD.
2. What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?
   • Answer: A treaty between Spain and Portugal that divided the New World between the two powers.
   • Explanation: The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494, dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.
3. What was the Columbian Exchange?
   • Answer: The transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.
   • Explanation: The Columbian Exchange had a profound impact on the environment and human populations, leading to the decline of native populations and the rise of European dominance.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494, not 1492.
• Christopher Columbus was not the first European to reach the Americas.
• The Spanish Inquisition was established to root out heresy in Spain, not the New World.
• The Columbian Exchange had a profound impact on the environment and human populations.
• The Aztec and Inca Empires were powerful and complex empires that flourished in Mesoamerica and the Andes before the arrival of the Spanish.
• The Spanish Main was a region in the Caribbean and Central America that was a major hub for Spanish colonization and trade.
• The Encomienda system was a system of labor and tribute imposed on native populations by Spanish colonizers.
• Missionaries played a key role in the colonization of the Americas.
• The Inca Empire stretched from modern-day Colombia to Chile before the arrival of the Spanish.
• The Aztec Empire flourished in Mesoamerica before the arrival of the Spanish.