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Unit 1: American Beginnings to 1877

Chapter 1: Exploration and the Colonial EraSection 1: The Americas, West Africa, and Europe

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Exploration and the Colonial Era

Read “Interactive History” on page 3. Answer the questions

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How did people get here?

No one knows exactly when, but it may have been as long as 22,000 years ago Ice Age froze vast

quantities of the earth’s water, which lowered sea levels Created a land bridge

between Asia and Alaska across the Bering Strait

It is believed that hunters crossed the Strait following their food

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End of the Ice Age

When the Ice Age ended, the glaciers melted and sea levels returned to normal Land bridge disappeared

Ending travel between Asia and North America

Groups spread all across North America and into South America

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Agriculture

Between 10,000 and 5,000 years ago agriculture emerged in central Mexico and spread throughout the Americas Why was the development of

agriculture and the planting of crops so important for early peoples?

Some groups continued their nomadic lifestyle

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Ancient Cultures in the Americas

Mexico Olmec

First empire of the Americas Established as early as 1200 B.C. in

Southern Mexico Maya

A.D. 250-900 Aztec

Sophisticated civilization in the 1200s

South America Inca

2,500 miles of empire along the coast

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Native American Societies of the 1400s

Just as diverse as the land they occupiedCommon Characteristics Patterns of trade

Helped spread customs and beliefs

Attitudes toward land use Land was not to be traded, it was

the source of life* Religious beliefs

Natural world filled with spirits Social values

Family was the basic unit of organization

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West African Societies of the 1400s

Similar to Native Americans in that many different sophisticated societies existed Most slaves that would

make their way to the Americas came from this region

Their traditions and beliefs would play a significant role in forming American history

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Notable Societies

The Kingdom of Songhai Became wealthy by

controlling the trans-Sahara trade routes

Taxed caravans traveling through

What did they do with all their cash flow? Raised large armies to

conquer new territories Built cities Supported arts and education

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Notable Societies

The Kingdom of Benin Controlled forests

along the southern coast around the Niger Delta

Ewuare Ruler who lead the

expansion and built many cities

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Notable Societies

The Kingdom of Kongo Controlled rain

forest region in West Central Africa

Series of small kingdoms controlled by a single leader, “manikongo”

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West African Culture

Mostly small villages Life revolved around the

family and traditions Political leaders claimed

authority based on religion Most believed in a variety

of gods but a single creator Supported themselves by

farming, hunting, mining, or trading Believed in collective

ownership of the land

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TradeTimbuktu The hub of a well-

established trading network Connected West Africa with

the ports of North Africa, which took goods to Europe and Asia

Goods traded: Gold, ivory, and dyed cloth

Islam Came from North Africa Monotheistic faith that had

a profound influence on West African societies

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Important Note:

Portuguese mariners began trading directly with the coastal regions starting in the 1440s Began the

European trade of enslaved West Africans

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European Societies of the 1400s

Communities based on social hierarchy Little social mobility

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ChristianityChristianity was the dominant religion in Europe The pope and his

bishops enjoyed great political and spiritual authority

The Crusades Christianity and Islam

came into conflict as the armies fought over the Holy Land around Jerusalem

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CrusadesResults Christian Europeans failed

to capture the Holy Land Encouraged exploration

and expansion Opened trade routes to

Asia Weakened the power of

European nobles Many lost their lives or their

fortunes during the Crusades Monarchs used this to

increase their own power

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Reformation

Many people desired change by the early 1500s Led to the

Reformation Protestants opposed

the Catholic church How might this help

spur exploration and the settlement of new lands?

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Major Players

PortugalSpainFranceEngland

Powerful monarchs collected taxes and raised large armies to strengthen their government.

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Renaissance

Cultural awakening Led to many advancements

in the arts and science

Expansion European monarchs sought

new trade routes and land to increase wealth

Technological Advances Weapons

Cannons, longbows, and firearms

Maps were more accurate

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Sailing TechnologyMany advances in sailing technology Compass and astrolabe

Helped sailors plot their direction

Prince Henry of Portugal Brought mariners,

geographers, and navigators to his court

Many sailors made long trips Christopher Columbus

believed he could reach India by traveling west across the Atlantic

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Activity Answer #3: Critical Thinking on p. 13 Use complete sentences Must be at least 5 sentences 5 pts.

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Movie Clip

The Crusades 30 min.