AP U.S. HistoryUnit 1

European Colonization1492 to 1700

As you read focus on:1. Emergence of Native American

Civilization2. Causes of Imperialism3. Inter-Imperialist Competition4. Effect of military conflict on inter-

imperialist relationships5. Clash of Cultures

Introduction Prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Western

Hemisphere it had been settled by hunter-gatherers from Asia that crossed into North America across a land bridge that arose during the Ice Age.

The Viking were the earliest Europeans to reach the “New World” but their colonization efforts failed.

As Spain and Portugal began searching for a water route to China (new technology such as the compass, caravel, and printing press were causing a boom in the navigational sciences).

The emergence of powerful monarchs and wealthy businessmen led to new exploration efforts in the “New World” and were inevitably followed by colonization projects.

Ultimately England would emerge with the upper hand in North America and her colonies would pave the way for the emergence of the United States of America.

Unit 1.1: Spanish Colonization of the New World Was the New World “discovered” by Europeans? What factors made the Native Americans so easy

to conquer? Why would the rest of the world have scoffed at

the Treaty of Tordesillas? What was mercantilism and what role did it play

in Spanish colonization of the New World? What factors ultimately caused the degradation

of Spain to a “Second-rate Empire”?

Unit 1.1: Spanish Colonization of the New World

Was the New World “discovered” by Europeans? One could certainly make the argument that if history is written from

the European perspective then “yes”. Through much of Europe’s development North and South America did not

exist. They happened to stumble across this massive land mass trying to find a less

expensive route to China. The Vikings were the first Europeans to arrive in North America. They were followed by the Spanish and Portuguese.

Despite the Vikings’ efforts, Christopher Columbus made the first known discovery of the Americas, but even he did not know what he had “discovered”.

Later the English, French, and Dutch would take an active interest in the “New World”

However, if we see the world through the eyes of the Native American then “no”.

The first “Americans” arrived on the Continent many millions of years ago during the Ice Age.

They developed 100’s of cultures, including the powerful civilizations of the Maya, Inca, and Aztec.

They produced Agricultural science the would lead to corn, potatoes, tomatoes (which were thought poisonous by many Europeans: imagine Italian food without the tomato), and tobacco.

These civilizations were in full bloom when the Spanish arrived in the “New World”

“Discovery”?

Unit 1.1: Spanish Colonization of the New World

What factors made the Native Americans so easy for the Europeans to conquer?

Spain’s lust for gold and silver made any civilization that stood between them and that objective expendable.

Spain’s desire to attain wealth in the New World trumped their respect for the human life that already existed their.

When we can dehumanize our foe it allows us to justify horrific and immoral actions.

Spain possessed more advanced military technology. The gun and Spanish armor proved too much for the primitive weapons of

the Native American population. The exposure to the Small Pox virus severely weakened the Native

American population. The Native Americans had never experienced the Small Pox virus and, thus,

had no immunity to the disease. Nearly 90% of the Native American population was wiped out by Small Pox.

The Native Americans had no political or military figure that could unite the disjointed tribes to present a formidable front against Spanish aggression.

Because the Native Americans lacked unity and leadership, the Spanish were able to play one tribe against another and easily conquer any civilization that stood in their way.

Spanish Guns and Small Pox

Unit 1.1: Spanish Colonization of the New World

Why would the rest of the world have scoffed at the Treaty of Tordesillas?

The Treaty was drafted with significant influence of the Pope at time when much of Europe had come under Protestant leadership.

The Treaty of Tordesillas created a partitioning of the world between Spain and Portugal (the two leaders in exploration at the time).

Spain was given much of North and South America with the exception of Brazil Portugal was allowed to explore much of Asia

As other nations became more powerful they saw know reason why this agreement should prevent them from seeking their “fair share” of the wealth available in North and South America.

Many other nations coveted the gold and silver that Spain was plundering from the New World.

They also desired to discover a fabled “Northwest Passage” to China, which led the British, French, and Dutch to concentrate their efforts in North America.

As these nations began to compete over influence in North American it led to a wave of colonization and tense conflict in Europe.

St. Augustine (Florida) was the first permanent Spanish colony in North America The English settled at Jamestown and Plymouth The French settled at Montreal (Canada) The Dutch settled New Amsterdam (New York)

Unit 1.1: Spanish Colonization of the New World

What was mercantilism and what role did it play in the Spanish colonization of the New World?

Mercantilism is an economic system based on building a nation’s power and wealth through the acquisition of colonies.

Under mercantilism a nation’s power was directly tied to its wealth. In order to gain more power you needed to acquire and hold onto more and

more colonial possessions. Mercantilism creates an exclusive trade relationship between an

Imperialist and their colonies. The raw materials possessed by the colony would be sent to the Imperialist

where they would be turned into finished manufactured products. Those products could then be turned around and sold in the colonies, which

then provide a new market for the Imperialist’s exports. This relationship is not meant to be mutually beneficial, obviously the profit

of the Imperialist is paramount. The King’s authority in these colonies was supreme, the native people

and settlers were considered his subjects. Oftentimes the colony was given little to no voice in the government of the

Imperialist. They could be taxed, forced into military service, or be restricted in trade with little say in the matter.

This is what would ultimately cause the American Revolution: “No taxation without representation”.

Unit 1.1: Spanish Colonization of the New World

What factors ultimately caused the degradation of Spain to a second-rate Empire?

Increased pressure from other Imperialist nations. By the 1700s, although Spain was continuing to play the role of powerful

Imperialist in Europe, real power in Europe had shifted to England and France.

The illusion of Spanish greatness was once and for all destroyed in 1898 with their defeat in the Spanish-American War.

Domestic problems in Spain itself. Spain faced a rebellion in the Spanish Netherlands. Spain found herself the tip of the Catholic Sword in numerous wars of

religion, including the famous debacle of the Spanish Armada. The Spanish rulers that followed King Philip II were ineffective and

inefficient. Declining profits because of the expense of maintaining its colonies.

Spain never intended to colonize the Americas, but to keep their clutches on the riches of the region they had to put down roots (The French, English, and Dutch came intent to colonize and compete).

Enormous military expenditures for the protection of its colonies and a fleet to protect its trade ships.

Declining colonial profitability combined with increasing costs of defending them equals economic decline.

Spain had the largest Empire in the world up to the 1700s, ineffective leaders allowed this to become a source of enormous debt.

The failure of the Spanish Armada

Unit 1.2: Dutch Settlements and a French Empire in North America What were some disadvantages faced by early

Dutch and French settlements? Describe French success in the New World. What were some advantages held by English

settlers in the New World? What factors led to the virtual disappearance of

the French from North America? What impact did the Native American population

have on these settlement efforts?

Unit 1.2: Dutch Settlements and a French Empire in North America

What were some disadvantages faced by the early Dutch and French settlements? Both the Dutch and the French came to North America

hoping to cash in on the lucrative fur trade. The Dutch settled New Netherland and New Amsterdam

in what is today the Hudson River Valley in New York. The French settled in Montreal, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Neither government gave much support to these

colonization efforts, consequently they eventually gave way to stronger English efforts.

The Dutch did offer large land grants, but few citizens took advantage of them, consequently they were severely outnumbered by local Native American tribes.

The French refused to allow the people that desperately wanted out of France to leave and come to America (The Huguenots (French Protestants being persecuted by the Catholic leadership of France).

Many of the French who settled in North America eventually went back to France although Quebec is still today distinctly “French Canadian”.

Leave me alone, I was here before the Native Americans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unit 1.2: Dutch Settlements and a French Empire in North America Describe French success in the New World.

In 1682 things took a turn for the better for the French when they laid claim to the Mississippi River Valley, naming it Louisiana after King Louis XIV.

Louisiana was rich in fur trade. The territory was also an immense territorial grab for

France running north from the mouth of the Mississippi to Canada then West from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains.

In 1712 the French established the City of New Orleans at the mouth of the Great Mississippi River.

New Orleans became a key economic and military location in the Gulf of Mexico.

New Orleans made the Mississippi River Valley a viable center for economic growth in both the fur trade and agriculture.

Louisiana is immense!

Unit 1.2: Dutch Settlements and a French Empire in North America What were some advantages held by

English settlers in the New World? The English definitely had the support of a

Government that was encouraging and supporting colonization.

by 1763, British settlers outnumbered French settlers 3 to 1.

Although both sides turned to the Native Americans for alliances, the French depended heavily on Native American tribes to secure their North American possessions.

These alliances were not enough for the French who were defeated by the English and their Native American allies in the French and Indian War.

By 1776 the English controlled most of the Atlantic Seaboard, the Ohio River Valley, and Canada.

Unit 1.2: Dutch Settlements and a French Empire in North America

What factors led to the virtual disappearance of the French from North America?

Then in 1713 the French found themselves on the losing side of the War of Spanish Succession and had to cough up Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, and Nova Scotia.

Although they still possessed Quebec and Louisiana, the French presence in North America was greatly diminished.

Worse still, the French had to cede Louisiana to the Spanish in 1763 after losing the Seven Years War. (They would later regain the territory in 1800, but then sold it to the infant United States in 1803 after a rebellion in Haiti caused the French to lose interest in North America.

The British bolstered their armed forces with settler militia and Native American allies

Unit 1.2: Dutch Settlements and a French Empire in North America What impact did the Native American population have on

these settlement efforts? 1607 – The first real conflict between Native Americans and

Colonists occurs at Jamestown. Led to the famous incident of Captain John Smith being captured

and saved by Pocahontas. An initial period of peace was later ended by 12 years of war with

the Powhatans 1621 – The Plymouth Settlers sign a Treaty with the local

Native American tribe with the aid of English-speaking Squanto.

1636 – The Pequot War led the massacre of 700 Pequot Indians and the sale of many more into slavery.

1675 – King Philip’s War (Metacom’s War) was a brutal campaign fought in New England.

1711 – The Tuscarora War in North Carolina was settled when James Moore and Native Allies defeated the Tuscarora Indians.

1763 – The French and Indian War settled control of North America between the British and French but also pitted the Algonquian (aligned with the French) vs. the Iroquois (aligned with the British).

The Pequot War and King Philip’s War were very destructive to the Native American population of New England

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World What factors motivated British efforts to explore

and colonize the New World? What characteristics of Mercantilism made

exploration and colonization appealing to the British?

Describe early British Colonial efforts. What were some distinctions between the various

regions of the “American Colonies”? What motivated people to come to the American

Colonies and how would this shape the future development of the United States of America?

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World What factors motivated British efforts to explore and

colonize the New World? The final resolution of the Catholic/Protestant conflict in

England during the Reformation. Settled when Henry VIII separated from the Catholic Church

and Queen Elizabeth I defeated the Spanish Armada. Freed the English from conflict so that they could refocus

attention on colonization of the New World As did the Dutch and the French, the British desired to

discover the fabled Northwest Passage. Develop an economic link with the vast resources of China.

A new type of business component called the Joint-Stock Company offered English citizens the opportunity to make huge profits off colonization efforts.

The vast resources of raw materials and new markets for goods lured British investors as the Industrial Revolution blossomed in England.

The Fabled Northwest Passage

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World

What characteristics of Mercantilism made exploration and colonization appealing to the British? The desire to accumulate gold, silver, and other precious

resources. Mercantilism measured a nation’s power in terms of the amount of

Gold it possessed Spain, consequently, quickly became the most powerful nation in

the world. The opportunity to develop a “favorable balance of trade”.

The markets provided by Colonial possession meant that the British would always have an outlet for their booming industrial growth.

The establishment of viable colonies would counterbalance the competition from other imperialist nations.

Colonies were often restricted from trading outside the empire. One of the causes for the American Revolution was that Americans

desired the cheaper goods they could get from the French or Spanish.

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World

Describe early British Colonial efforts. The Jamestown Settlement

First permanent English settlement in North America Dependence on Tobacco for profit led to the first importation of

African Slaves by British settlers in 1619 Successes

John Rolfe and Pocahontas created a new strand of tobacco that was very appealing to Europeans and made the Jamestown settlement profitable.

The settlement ultimately grew and became the Royal Colony of Virginia The Virginia Colony would create America’s first representative

legislature (the House of Burgesses) and citizens were promised the same rights as English citizens.

Failures They faced obvious problems with Indian attacks, famine, and disease They also faced problems of their own creation

Poor location – swampy, made agriculture difficult and disease epidemic

Settlers came with only their own business interests at heart – few would work for the collective good until John Smith took over leadership and refused food to anyone that would not work

Jamestown and the reasons for its success

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World

Describe early British Colonial efforts. The Plymouth Colony

The Puritans (Separatists) were dissatisfied with efforts to reform the Anglican Church of England and wanted a whole new church free of Royal control.

Landing far north of where they were supposed to be, the “Pilgrims” chose to form a new colony at Plymouth.

Successes: The Plymouth settlement created the Mayflower Compact

(named for the ship they traveled the Atlantic with) They established a government based on the will of the people

and based on the concept of majority rule. Failures:

They suffered a terrible famine that wiped out half their numbers in the winter of 1620.

The colony rebounded under the leadership of Miles Standish and William Bradford.

The Plymouth Settlement and the first Thanksgiving

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World

Describe early British Colonial efforts. Massachusetts Bay Colony

Founded by Puritans (these were not Separatists) They arrived in America in 1629 under the leadership

of John Winthrop. Successes:

They came in large numbers (1000 on the first mission). They were well-supplied and well-prepared After a Civil War in England some 15,000 more Puritans

came to Massachusetts (an event known as the Great Migration)

The founded the city of Boston and other New England towns.

They developed a representative assembly and voted yearly on the Governor and his assistants. Only Male members of the Puritan Church could vote.

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World What were some distinctions between the

various regions of the “American Colonies”? Northern Colonies (New England)

Colonies other than Massachusetts included Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine (eventually absorbed by Mass.), and New Hampshire (which eventually spawned Vermont)

Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams became significant for establishing the concept of separation of Church and State.

One of our nation’s most famous religious refugees sought and received asylum in Rhode Island (Anne Hutchinson) which espoused total religious freedom.

Connecticut formed America’s first Constitution Connecticut also forged a thriving fur trade in the

region.

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World

What were some distinctions between the various regions of the “American Colonies”?

The Middle Colonies New York (formerly New Amsterdam) became an English Colony through

conquest. The Dutch and English became locked in wars over competition over the

rich fur trade in the region. The Duke of York allowed only limited democracy in his colony and in

many ways inhibited the physical growth of the colony by issuing immense land grants on the Hudson River to wealthy nobles who supported the Duke.

New Jersey initially belonged to the Duke of York as well, but he would eventually parcel that out to other nobles.

In 1702 Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn as a haven for Quakers. The Quakers belief that all people were God’s children led them to have

the most positive relationship with the Native American population of any of the colonies.

The City of Philadelphia is the “City of Brotherly Love” Originally belonging to Sweden, then ceded to the Dutch, then ceded to the

English under the supervision of the Duke of York, Delaware was eventually sold to William Penn to insure that Pennsylvania residents would have port access to the Atlantic.

Being “landlocked” would have severely limited Pennsylvania’s ability to grow economically.

What were some distinctions between the various regions of the “American Colonies”? The Southern Colonies

Other than Virginia, other colonies included Maryland, North and South Carolina, and Georgia.

Maryland, much like Pennsylvania, was founded by Lord Baltimore as a religious refuge for English Catholics who faced persecution at home.

In 1649 the Maryland Toleration Act allowed for religious tolerance (it was passed out of necessity as more and more Protestants began settling in Maryland)

The Act also outlawed blasphemy and other religious transgressions. The Carolinas were land grants given to supporters of the

Restoration. As large plantation agriculture (tobacco in North Carolina and Rice in

South Carolina) took hold the Carolinas embraced African slavery. In 1729 the colonies were officially split into North Carolina and South

Carolina Georgia was founded as a Penal Colony where it was hoped the

convict population could sustain the colony and create a “buffer zone” between the English Colonies and Spanish Florida.

When it became clear that the convict population was not enough to sustain a viable colony, settlement was opened up to Protestants and Skilled Workers.

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World

The Northern, Middle, and Southern Colonies:

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World What motivated people to come to the

American Colonies and how would this shape the future development of the United States of America? Those that chose to come:

Many looked at the American Colonies as a source of religious freedom.

Others saw economic opportunity in this new country.

Others were so desperate to get out of England that they came to America as indentured servants (paying for their voyage with seven years of labor).

Needless to say the desperate search for freedom had a dramatic impact on the principles that would lead to the American Revolution and the formation of a Constitution that strives to protect the equality of all men.

Came by choice:

Unit 1.3: The British Empire in the New World

What motivated people to come to the American Colonies and how would this shape the future development of the United States of America?

Those that did not chose to come or be encroached upon: Beginning with the Spanish and Portuguese and continuing with the British,

French, and Dutch slavery became an unfortunate characteristic of colonial economics.

The encomienda system authorized Spanish land owners to exploit Native American Slaves, later the Asiento system began the importation of African Slaves.

Large Plantation Agriculture in England’s southern colonies based on the production of tobacco, rice, and indigo (later Cotton would be the driving force behind American slavery) created a dependence of the wealthy planter class on African Slavery.

Native American populations were nearly destroyed or were forced off their ancestral lands as a result of European contact.

90% of the Native American population was wiped out by Small Pox and Measles, diseases for which they had absolutely no immunity.

Still others were killed or driven off their land by wars with various groups of European settlers.

Some were moved to the American Colonies to alleviate overcrowded conditions in England’s prisons.

Clearly these people were viewed as expendable as they were placed on the frontier with Spanish Florida.

If a war with Spanish Florida was fought it would be fought on their land, not the more valuable territory in the Carolinas and Virginia.

Those who had little choice in the matter:

Multiple Choice Questions1. Which of the following best describes the impact

European colonization had on the Western Hemisphere’s Native population?

A. The native population was highly respected in terms of territorial possessions and religious beliefs.

B. The Europeans for the most part did not interact with the native populations

C. Spain was the only European country to successfully create an alliance with the native population.

D. Spain worked in conjunction with the Aztecs and Incas to harvest South America’s resources

E. Native populations were often killed off or driven away by the Europeans

Multiple Choice Questions2. Which of the following imperial powers

originally settled the Hudson River Valley?

A. Holland (The Dutch)B. EnglandC. FranceD. SwedenE. Portugal

Multiple Choice Questions3. Which of the following best describes the

Colony of Georgia?A. Comparatively the most democratic English

ColonyB. Established by Spain in order to protect its

Colony in FloridaC. Established by England as a penal colony and

to serve as a “buffer zone” between Florida and her other colonies

D. Organized by English Catholics who had been persecuted by the Anglican Church

E. Eventually ceded to Spain in return for Florida

Multiple Choice Questions4. Which English Colony was established by

proprietors that also had investments in the slave trade and therefore introduced slavery to their colony?

A. New YorkB. PennsylvaniaC. Rhode IslandD. The CarolinasE. Maryland

Multiple Choice Questions5. The Duke of Baltimore established the

Colony of Maryland for which of the following reasons?

A. As an opportunity to invest in that colony’s maritime industry

B. In order to prevent France from seizing that territory

C. As a haven for persecuted English CatholicsD. For Quakers who had been evicted from

PennsylvaniaE. After failing to colonize the Carolinas

Multiple Choice Questions6. French immigrants to the New World

tended to inhabit which of the following?A. CanadaB. FloridaC. Territory east of the Appalachian MountainsD. The Southern ColoniesE. The Middle Atlantic Colonies

Multiple Choice Questions7. As the Founder of Rhode Island, Roger

Williams did which of the following?A. Established religious freedom for Catholics

and QuakersB. Supported freedom of religion for French

HuguenotsC. Established the concept of separation of

church and state in his colonyD. Required mandatory church attendanceE. Abolished all religious practices throughout

the colony

Multiple Choice Questions8. Which of the following stunted the

physical growth of the English Colony in New York?

A. Most settlers refused to recognize the Anglican Church

B. Native Americans laid claim to all of New YorkC. New York relied almost exclusively on imports

from BritainD. Few colonists wanted to settle in the western

part of the colonyE. Aristocrats controlled vast tracts of land

Multiple Choice Questions9. Which of the following sought to exploit

the lucrative fur trade in America?A. The SwedishB. The BritishC. The French and the DutchD. The PortugueseE. The Spanish and British

Multiple Choice Questions10. John Winthrop is associated with which

colony?A. New AmsterdamB. Massachusetts Bay C. JamestownD. QuebecE. Pennsylvania

Answer Key1. E2. A3. C4. D5. C6. A7. C8. E9. C10. B