The Invasion of America

1400’s-1607

Preexisting Societies

Complex network of indigenous people

As many as 15 million inhabitants

Spoke as many as 300 different languages

Lived in several diverse regions

Highly developed civilizations

Divisions of labor

Complex trade networks

Cultural development rivaled Europeans

Some were even socially stratified

Decimated by European settlement

15th Century Europe

Dominance of the Catholic Church

Feudal System

Divine Right of Kings

National Competition

Methods of Change

Emerging merchant class

Trade did not fit feudal system

Merchants were a major source of tax revenue (tariffs)

Taxes supported exploration, colonialism, and war

Methods of Change

Crusades

State supported, church sanctioned exploration

Briefly opened possibility of trade

Shook power of church and nobility

Methods of Change

Reformation

Inspired by the Renaissance

1517 Martin Luther

Gutenberg Bible

Formation of Anglican Church (Henry VIII)

Sub movements (Puritans/Quakers)

Methods of ChangeCommerce and Exploration

Increased nautical technology (caravel/sextant)

Nation states needed wealth (hard currency)

Fund wars (round robin power struggle)

Policy of Mercantilism: Primary reason for colonialism is to increase wealth of home country. Supply raw materials and avoid

trade with rivals

Joint Stock Companies

Made long range trade possible

Forerunner of corporations (capitalism)

Initially operated with royal charters

Age of ExplorationFirst colonization of New World (N./S. America)

Spain

Portugal

Columbian exchange (corn/potatoes)

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

Settle disputes between Spain and Portugal

AKA Papal Line of Demarcation

England ignored treaty

Rivalry established

Portugal vs. Spain (eventual winner)

Cortes/Pizarro Find significant wealth

Age of ExplorationSpanish are dominant in New World

Florida/Caribbean/Modern Latin America

Establish themselves as rulers

Mestizo population

Econmienda system (plantations)

France

Attempt to colonize Florida/Southern US

Major colony: Quebec 1608

Primarily fur traders

Dutch

New Netherlands (New York/New Jersey)

English Settlements

Become modern United States

Major settlements

Roanoake 1587 (failed)

Jamestown 1607

Plymouth 1620

Massachusetts Bay 1630

England will eventually become dominant power in Europe/New World