Pacific Northwest and Causes of European Exploration

This page covers the unique characteristics of the Pacific Northwest Native American societies and delves into the motivations behind European exploration of the Americas.

Pacific Northwest/Plateau:

• Economy based on fishing and elk hunting
• Key tribe: Chinook, known for strict social class system and head flattening practices

Causes of European Entry into the New World:

1. Religious motivations:

   • Spreading Christianity, particularly Catholicism by the Spanish

2. Economic factors:

   • Search for wealth and new trade routes to Asia

3. Political competition:

   • Rivalry between European nations for territory and global influence

4. Technological advancements:

   • New navigational tools and ship designs enabled longer voyages

Example: The caravel, a small and fast Spanish or Portuguese sailing ship, was crucial for long-distance exploration in the 15th-17th centuries.

Vocabulary: Sextant - An instrument used for celestial navigation to determine latitude and longitude by measuring angles between celestial bodies and the horizon.

Highlight: The combination of religious zeal, economic ambition, and technological innovation drove European nations to explore and eventually colonize the Americas, fundamentally altering the course of world history.

Colonial Developments and Perspectives

Different views emerged regarding the treatment of Native Americans, leading to significant debates.

Quote: "Las Casas believed the Natives were already well off prior to the Europeans' arrival and that they should be treated fairly."

Example: The mysterious disappearance of the Roanoke Colony in 1590 remains a significant historical mystery.

Cultural and Social Systems

This period saw complex social and cultural developments among Native American societies.

Definition: Matrilineal Culture traced ancestral descent through maternal instead of paternal lines.

Vocabulary: Nation-States represented societies with political legitimacy overlaying cultural commonality.

Period 1 (1491-1607): Native American Societies and European Contact

This period covers the time from pre-Columbian Native American societies to early European exploration and settlement in the Americas. It is crucial for understanding the foundations of American history.

Why does period 1 start with 1491? 1491 represents the year before Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, marking the last year of solely indigenous control of the continents.

Key points:

• Prehistoric migration across the Bering land bridge populated the Americas
• By 1492, an estimated 54 million people lived in the Americas
• Advanced civilizations like the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans developed sophisticated urban centers and agricultural practices
• Three sister farming (maize, beans, and squash) was a crucial agricultural innovation

Highlight: The introduction of maize cultivation by the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans to North America became a primary crop for Native Americans, enabling permanent settlements and advancements in science and technology.

Definition: Three sister farming is an agricultural technique where corn, beans, and squash are planted together to maximize yields and soil health. This method was widely used in the Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions of North America.

Example: The Aztecs built large, elaborate cities and made accurate astronomical observations, demonstrating their advanced civilization despite lacking modern technology.