New World Encounters

- Clash of Cultures- Discovery, Settlement or Exchange?

Native American Histories

Environmental ChallengeFirst human settlements:30,000 years ago - last Ice Age creates land bridge across the Bering StraitImportant - settlers did not carry common diseasesClimate change led to cultural adaptations (hunters to farmers)Tribes grew and settled into trading centers About 4 million Natives north of Mexico by the 16th century

Draw three conclusions about the society pictured below:

Mysterious DisappearanceThriving civilizations in the Southwest and the Ohio / Mississippi Valleys

Wide disparity in estimates of native populations – very political and controversial

Cultures collapse just as the Europeans are beginning to arrive – Disease? War?

Splintering of these cultures led to smaller cultures

AztecsLarge, brutal, warlike and advanced civilization with cities, organized social structure

Capital Tenochtitlan had as many as 250,000 people

Eastern Woodland CulturesDivided cultures along the Eastern coast, adapted to particular environment

Shared values: reciprocal diplomacy, public speaking, wars

The Columbian Exchange

Threats to Survival: Trade and Disease

Native - European cooperative relationships began to deteriorateDebt, depletion of resources, war, disruption of trade, DISEASECarib people were wiped out90-95% of then Incan Empire wiped out by disease (smallpox, measles, typhus)Columbian ExchangeNatives to Europeans: Corn, tobacco, potatoesEuropeans to Natives: Typhus, measles, smallpox, Christianity, horses, pigs, sheep

West Africa: Ancient and Complex Societies

Portuguese traders sought gold and slaves from West Africa

Slaves were used on Port and Spanish plantations

MORE SLAVES MIGRATED TO THE NEW WORLD THAN EUROPEANS from 1650-1831

Europe on the Eve of Conquest

Renaissance - more worldly outlook

Absolute monarchs (Tudors, Bourbons, etc. )

Technical Knowledge from the scientific revolution + spread by printing press (maps!)

ConquistadoresBrutal gold seeking adventurersCortes + 600 men takes Aztec leader MontezumaWhy did Cortes win? Horses and gunpowder – intimidation factors, steel swords and armor, Spanish military tactics (alliances with Aztec enemies), Disease!Pizarro similarly destroys the Inca civilization (10-20 million) Decimate native populations, brought riches back to Spain (causes inflation)

From Plunder to SettlementSpanish model of colonization

Tight control of coloniesEncouraged intermarriageWealth was based on exploitation of slaves and natives - encomienda systemBatolome de las Casas - documented poor treatment of Indians - 1542 laws forbid enslavement of natives - African slaves are imported instead

They laid bets as to who, with one stroke of the sword, could split a man in two or could cut off his head or spill out his entrails with a single stroke of the pike. They took infants from their mothers' breasts, snatching them by the legs and pitching them headfirst against the crags or snatched them by the arms and threw them into the rivers, roaring with laughter and saying as the babies fell into the water, "Boil there, you offspring of the devil!" Other infants they put to the sword along with their mothers and anyone else who happened to be nearby. – Bartolome de la Casas, 1542

French Claim Canada

French sought a “Northwest Passage” - find valuable fur sourceQuebec is founded in 1608 by ChamplainUse river networks to trap for furs - very valuable in EuropeCatholic Missionaries worked to convert natives to ChristianityFormed partnerships with natives as opposed to rivalries

The English Enter the CompetitionBritish explorers sought a “Northwest” passageThe English Protestant Reformation and the subsequent battles between Protestants and Catholics impacted settlement in America“Balance of Power” wars between England and Spain (and the Netherlands and France) also influenced English settlementEarly efforts: John Cabot - 1st transatlantic voyage in 1497 seeking NW passageReformation also divides England

Irish Rehearsal for American Settlement

English settlement of “barbaric” Ireland based on economic opportunities (cultivation of land) and notions of superiority1569 - Sir Humphrey Gilbert leads a horrific crackdown on Irish opposition to British rule (Queen Eliz.).Scottish Protestants are encouraged to immigrate to Ireland and start plantationsSimilar relationship with Natives later in the New World

An Unpromising Beginning: Mystery at Roanoke 1570s - Renewed interest in the New World

Sir Walter Raleigh sends men to found a “Virginia” territoryRaleigh attempts to establish first English colony on the island of Roanoke1587 sends 117 colonists to VAPoor location, hostile natives1587-1590 - all ships dedicated to war with Spain (no supply or communication)Roanoke colony is gone… no survivors