APUSH: Period 2, 1607-1754 - Interactions Between American Indians and Europeans

Why This Matters

The interactions between American Indians and Europeans are crucial for understanding the complex and often tumultuous history of the Americas. This topic is significant because it highlights the clash of cultures, the impact of colonization, and the long-term consequences of these interactions on the indigenous populations. The AP theme of American Identity is particularly relevant here, as the relationships between American Indians and Europeans shaped the very identity of the United States and its treatment of Native Americans.

Key Events & People

• The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire (1519-1521): Led by Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquered the Aztec Empire, marking the beginning of European colonization in the Americas.
• The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag (1620): The Pilgrims, early European settlers, formed an alliance with the Wampanoag tribe, which would later be broken and lead to conflict.
• The Trail of Tears (1838-1839): The forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) resulted in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans.
• Geronimo (1829-1909): A Chiricahua Apache leader who resisted Mexican and American forces, leading to the eventual defeat of his people and the loss of their land.
• The Dawes Act (1887): A law that divided Native American land into individual allotments, leading to the loss of tribal land and the erosion of Native American sovereignty.
• Sitting Bull (1831-1890): A Hunkpapa Lakota leader who resisted the encroachment of American settlers and the U.S. military, leading to the Battle of Little Bighorn.
• The Indian Removal Act (1830): Signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, this act authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory.
• Crazy Horse (1840-1877): A Lakota war leader who fought against the U.S. military and the encroachment of American settlers.
• The Indian Reorganization Act (1934): A law that reversed the Dawes Act and allowed Native American tribes to reorganize and establish their own governments.
• John Ross (1790-1866): A Cherokee leader who resisted the Indian Removal Act and fought for Cherokee sovereignty.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire (1519-1521)
• Effect: The spread of European diseases, such as smallpox, which decimated Native American populations.

• Long-term consequence: The significant decline of Native American populations and the disruption of their cultures.

• Cause: The Indian Removal Act (1830)

• Effect: The forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory.

• Long-term consequence: The loss of tribal land, the erosion of Native American sovereignty, and the trauma inflicted on Native American communities.

• Cause: The Dawes Act (1887)

• Effect: The division of Native American land into individual allotments, leading to the loss of tribal land and the erosion of Native American sovereignty.
• Long-term consequence: The loss of tribal land, the erosion of Native American sovereignty, and the exacerbation of poverty and inequality among Native American communities.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Colonization*: The process of one culture or nation establishing control over another culture or nation.
• *Tribal sovereignty*: The right of Native American tribes to govern themselves and make their own decisions.
• *Allotment*: The division of land into individual parcels, often used to break up tribal land and erode Native American sovereignty.
• *Forced relocation*: The forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory or other areas.
• *Assimilation*: The process of Native Americans adopting European-American culture and customs.
• *Reservation*: A designated area of land set aside for Native American tribes, often with limited resources and autonomy.
• *Treaty*: An agreement between the U.S. government and a Native American tribe, often used to establish boundaries or rights.
• *Manifest Destiny*: The idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory and spread its influence across North America.
• *Genocide*: The intentional destruction of a particular group of people, often through violence or forced relocation.
• *Cultural exchange*: The sharing of ideas, customs, and practices between different cultures.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Trail of Tears was a voluntary relocation of the Cherokee Nation.
• Correction: The Trail of Tears was a forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans.

• Memory trick: Remember the Trail of Tears as a "trail of tears" because it was a forced relocation, not a voluntary one.

• What students often get wrong: The Dawes Act was a law that helped Native American tribes.

• Correction: The Dawes Act was a law that divided Native American land into individual allotments, leading to the loss of tribal land and the erosion of Native American sovereignty.

• Memory trick: Remember the Dawes Act as a law that "dawged" Native American land away from their tribes.

• What students often get wrong: The Indian Removal Act was a law that protected Native American rights.

• Correction: The Indian Removal Act was a law that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory.
• Memory trick: Remember the Indian Removal Act as a law that "removed" Native Americans from their lands.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of European colonization on Native American populations. Be sure to include specific examples from the Trail of Tears, the Dawes Act, and the Indian Removal Act.
• Specific evidence: Cite the testimony of Cherokee leader John Ross, the reports of European explorers, and the statistics on Native American population decline.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the role of Native American leaders in resisting European colonization. Be sure to include specific examples from Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse.
• Specific evidence: Cite the speeches of Geronimo and Sitting Bull, the accounts of Native American leaders in the face of European colonization, and the historical records of Native American resistance.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the primary cause of the decline of Native American populations in the 16th century? a) European diseases b) Forced relocation c) Assimilation d) Colonization

Answer: a) European diseases Explanation: European diseases, such as smallpox, decimated Native American populations in the 16th century.

1. Which law divided Native American land into individual allotments? a) The Dawes Act b) The Indian Removal Act c) The Trail of Tears d) The Indian Reorganization Act

Answer: a) The Dawes Act Explanation: The Dawes Act divided Native American land into individual allotments, leading to the loss of tribal land and the erosion of Native American sovereignty.

1. Who was the leader of the Cherokee Nation during the Trail of Tears? a) John Ross b) Geronimo c) Sitting Bull d) Crazy Horse

Answer: a) John Ross Explanation: John Ross was the leader of the Cherokee Nation during the Trail of Tears.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Trail of Tears was a forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation.
• The Dawes Act divided Native American land into individual allotments.
• The Indian Removal Act authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes.
• The Indian Reorganization Act reversed the Dawes Act and allowed Native American tribes to reorganize.
• John Ross was the leader of the Cherokee Nation during the Trail of Tears.
• Geronimo was a Chiricahua Apache leader who resisted Mexican and American forces.
• Sitting Bull was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who resisted the encroachment of American settlers and the U.S. military.
• Crazy Horse was a Lakota war leader who fought against the U.S. military and the encroachment of American settlers.
• The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire marked the beginning of European colonization in the Americas.
• The Pilgrims formed an alliance with the Wampanoag tribe in 1620.