American, West African, and European Societies: 1400s
The Americas, West Africa, and Europe: Ancient Cultures
Hunting and Gathering
Agriculture developed. The Mayan, Incan, and Aztec civilizations flourished, and complex societies arose in North America.
Native American Societies of the 1400s
Characterized by a diversity of people, trade, attitudes towards land ownership, religious beliefs (belief in spirits), social values, and large families.
West African Societies, 1400
Featured the Kingdoms of Songhai, Benin, and Kongo. West African culture included established trading patterns and religion (Islam). The Portuguese expansion of trade with Europe and slavery began in the 1440s.
European Society, 1400
Marked by a social hierarchy (monarchy and aristocracy). The Crusades failed to take the Holy Land, but this inspired the start of explorations. The Reformation led to the splitting of Protestants from Catholics (conflicts that led to the search for religious freedom). European nations took shape, the Renaissance occurred, and sailing technology improved.
Spanish North America
Began with the voyage of Columbus, and the Spanish built an empire in the Americas.
Columbus Crosses the Atlantic
This had a significant impact on the communities.
- Native America: Natives were forced into labor, treated like slaves, and died because of diseases that the Spanish brought.
- Africans: Slavery; they took the place of the Native Americans.
- Europeans: Migration.
Columbian Exchange
Introduction of new plants and animals between the Old World and the New World.
Spanish Claim a New Empire
The Conquistadores conquered the majority of America, imposed new cultures, and created the Mestizos.
Early British Colonies
Jamestown
John Smith led the British colonies to Jamestown. John Rolfe started with a disaster: no gold, poor farming skills, and people suffered. Later, tobacco was introduced with indentured servants.
Colonist Clash with the Natives
They did not want to mix cultures, so an economic split occurred.
Puritans Create New England
They wanted to purify the Anglican Church. The Pilgrims founded a colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Led by John Winthrop, it was envisioned as a moral society.
Middle Colonies
New Netherland was founded, it became New York, and the Quakers settled in Pennsylvania.
The 13 colonies existed to benefit England. The colonies were kept separate because of the government. The Northern and Southern colonies developed their own society and economy.
Enlightenment
European ideas inspired the colonists. The printing process spread the idea of natural rights and that the government should respect the people.
Great Awakening
Religious revivals led by Jonathan Edwards. The Great Awakening and Enlightenment caused people to question their rights and gave ideas to start the American Revolution.
The Seven Years’ War
It determined control over the colonial territory of North America.
Stamp Act
Required colonists to purchase stamps on legal documents (a tax in the form of a stamp). The colonies needed to pay a fee for every legal document.
Sugar Act
Lowered the import tax on molasses to deter smuggling. It also taxed violators, who would be tried by the military and not a court.
Boston Massacre
British soldiers opened fire on the colonists, killing some people.
Boston Tea Party
Men disguised as Native Americans (Patriots) boarded the ship and threw the tea into the harbor.
Tea Act
The East India Company had a monopoly on tea imported to America.
American Revolution
Patriots declared independence.
John Locke
People have rights to life, liberty, and property. Society is based on a social contract: people obey the government as long as their rights are protected.
Thomas Paine
Common Sense was a pamphlet attacking the British. He convinced the colonists to be free from the British (independence).
Independence
The committee, led by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, declared that the colonies were free from Britain (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness).