Chapter 1 History
1. What were the major patterns of Native American life in North America before the Europeans arrived?
Before the Europeans arrived, the hemisphere contained cities, roads, irrigation systems, extensive trade networks, and large structures. They had not developed the scale, grandeur or centralized organization of the Aztec and Inca societies. They lacked the technologies that Europe had such as metal tools, machines and gun powder. Societies north of Mexico were illiterate. They became a central justification for European conquest. Ohio River valley Indians called mound builders had traded across half the continent.
2. One of the most striking features of Indian societies at the time of the encounter with Europeans was their diversity. Support this statement with several examples.
Society was very diverse. Each group had its own political system and set of beliefs. Indian villages held religious rituals. Families owned the right to use land, but didn’t own the actual land itself. Gift giving was essential.
3. What impelled European explorers to look west across the Atlantic?
Christopher Columbus had discovered a new route to China and India by sailing west. European explorers did not know that 2 continents were in the west.
4. Describe why the “discovery” of America was one of “the most important events recorded in the history of mankind,” according to Adam Smith.
The discovery of America was one of the most important events recorded in the history of mankind according to Adam Smith because it changed both the Old and New worlds which these changes are still in play today. American and European people did not know of each others existence, but were forced into interaction. Crops from both hemispheres crossed the Atlantic, which reshaped diets and transformed natural environments. North and South America had not developed immunity because of their isolationism and as a result suffered from many epidemics.
5. What happened when the peoples of the
Before the Europeans arrived, the hemisphere contained cities, roads, irrigation systems, extensive trade networks, and large structures. They had not developed the scale, grandeur or centralized organization of the Aztec and Inca societies. They lacked the technologies that Europe had such as metal tools, machines and gun powder. Societies north of Mexico were illiterate. They became a central justification for European conquest. Ohio River valley Indians called mound builders had traded across half the continent.
2. One of the most striking features of Indian societies at the time of the encounter with Europeans was their diversity. Support this statement with several examples.
Society was very diverse. Each group had its own political system and set of beliefs. Indian villages held religious rituals. Families owned the right to use land, but didn’t own the actual land itself. Gift giving was essential.
3. What impelled European explorers to look west across the Atlantic?
Christopher Columbus had discovered a new route to China and India by sailing west. European explorers did not know that 2 continents were in the west.
4. Describe why the “discovery” of America was one of “the most important events recorded in the history of mankind,” according to Adam Smith.
The discovery of America was one of the most important events recorded in the history of mankind according to Adam Smith because it changed both the Old and New worlds which these changes are still in play today. American and European people did not know of each others existence, but were forced into interaction. Crops from both hemispheres crossed the Atlantic, which reshaped diets and transformed natural environments. North and South America had not developed immunity because of their isolationism and as a result suffered from many epidemics.
5. What happened when the peoples of the