AMSCO US History Topic 1.1 – Contextualizing Period 1
Learning Objective – Explain the context for European encounters in the Americas from 1491 to 1607
The United States is a synthesis, or combination, of people from around the world.
o First people – arrived at least 10,000 ya
o Columbus – 1492
- Arrival of Columbus provides the context for understanding the interaction of the Europeans and
Native Americans and its impact on both groups
o Turning point in World History - Initiates lasting contact between people on opposite
sides of the Atlantic Ocean
o European voyages had profound results on how people on every continent lived.
o Another landmark change
1607 – founding of Jamestown (first permanent English settlement)
Beginning of framework of the new nation
Cultural Diversity in the Americas
- When Columbus reached the Americas, existing cultures varied greatly
o Geographic differences
o Climate differences
o Cultures developed different traits in response to its environment
Tropical islands – sugar
Forests – animal life and soil for maize (corn)
o Native Americans also transformed environments
Dry regions – creation of irrigation systems
Forests – fire used to clear land
Motives for Exploration
- Competition amongst European powers
o Spanish
o Portuguese
o French
o Dutch
o English
- Spread of Christianity
- Search for wealth
o All water route to Asia
o Fur-trading posts
o Operation of gold and silver mines
o Plantations
- Europeans relied on violence to subdue or drive away native inhabitants (the how)
Learning Objective – Explain the context for European encounters in the Americas from 1491 to 1607
The United States is a synthesis, or combination, of people from around the world.
o First people – arrived at least 10,000 ya
o Columbus – 1492
- Arrival of Columbus provides the context for understanding the interaction of the Europeans and
Native Americans and its impact on both groups
o Turning point in World History - Initiates lasting contact between people on opposite
sides of the Atlantic Ocean
o European voyages had profound results on how people on every continent lived.
o Another landmark change
1607 – founding of Jamestown (first permanent English settlement)
Beginning of framework of the new nation
Cultural Diversity in the Americas
- When Columbus reached the Americas, existing cultures varied greatly
o Geographic differences
o Climate differences
o Cultures developed different traits in response to its environment
Tropical islands – sugar
Forests – animal life and soil for maize (corn)
o Native Americans also transformed environments
Dry regions – creation of irrigation systems
Forests – fire used to clear land
Motives for Exploration
- Competition amongst European powers
o Spanish
o Portuguese
o French
o Dutch
o English
- Spread of Christianity
- Search for wealth
o All water route to Asia
o Fur-trading posts
o Operation of gold and silver mines
o Plantations
- Europeans relied on violence to subdue or drive away native inhabitants (the how)
