Chapter 1Chapter 1

PangeaPangea

250 million years 250 million years ago, there was a ago, there was a single gigantic single gigantic continent called continent called Pangea.Pangea.

Ice AgeIce Age

During the most recent ice age, glaciers (represented on map in white) covered much of Earth’s northern hemisphere. Ice ages consist of glacial periods and warmer interglacial periods. Many scientists believe that Earth remains in an interglacial state.

© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Glacial Evidence in Glacial Evidence in YosemiteYosemite

Glacial EvidenceGlacial Evidence

Evidence of alpine Evidence of alpine glaciation in the glaciation in the Selway Crags area Selway Crags area of central Idaho. of central Idaho. The glacier started The glacier started in the valley to the in the valley to the left; the valley to left; the valley to the right is a the right is a hanging valley, hanging valley, with waterfalls. with waterfalls.

Bering StraitBering Strait

The first The first discoverers of North discoverers of North America were America were nomadic Asians nomadic Asians who wandered to who wandered to America by way of America by way of an exposed land an exposed land bridge from Russia bridge from Russia to Alaska during the to Alaska during the Ice Age. Ice Age.

Children play on the frozen waters of a strait that connects to the Bering Strait, beyond the distant mountains.    Globe Staff Photo / Essdras M. Suarez

Native hunters prepare to take a skin boat into the frigid waters of the Bering Strait to retrieve a ringed seal that had been shot.    Globe Staff Photo / Essdras M. Suarez

South and Central South and Central American TribesAmerican Tribes Advanced societies in AmericasAdvanced societies in Americas

– CivilizationsCivilizations– CultureCulture– High TechHigh Tech– Stable SocietiesStable Societies– FarmersFarmers– Thinkers – Calendars, Writing, AlphabetThinkers – Calendars, Writing, Alphabet– AstronomersAstronomers

Aztecs Aztecs

Aztec were an American Indian Aztec were an American Indian people who ruled a mighty people who ruled a mighty empire in Mexico during the empire in Mexico during the 1400's and early 1500's. The 1400's and early 1500's. The Aztec had one of the most Aztec had one of the most advanced civilizations in the advanced civilizations in the Americas. They built cities as Americas. They built cities as large as any in Europe at that large as any in Europe at that time. They also practiced a time. They also practiced a remarkable religion that remarkable religion that affected every part of their affected every part of their lives. To worship their gods, the lives. To worship their gods, the Aztec built towering temples, Aztec built towering temples, created huge sculptures, and created huge sculptures, and held impressive ceremonies held impressive ceremonies featuring bloody human featuring bloody human sacrifices. Their empire was sacrifices. Their empire was destroyed by the Spaniards, destroyed by the Spaniards, who conquered it in 1521. But who conquered it in 1521. But the Aztec left a lasting mark on the Aztec left a lasting mark on Mexican culture. Mexican culture.

The city of Tenochtitlan was the center of religious worship for The city of Tenochtitlan was the center of religious worship for the Aztecs. Since the Mexica believed that the gods required the Aztecs. Since the Mexica believed that the gods required human blood to subsist, the priests sacrificed thousands of human blood to subsist, the priests sacrificed thousands of living humans a year, generally captured Indians from living humans a year, generally captured Indians from surrounding tribes, in order to appease the frightful deities. surrounding tribes, in order to appease the frightful deities. 4-7 4-7

Tenochtitlan and its sister-city Tlatelolco, both situated Tenochtitlan and its sister-city Tlatelolco, both situated on an island in Lake Texcoco is the site of modern on an island in Lake Texcoco is the site of modern Mexico CityMexico City

IncasIncas

The Inca were well known for their The Inca were well known for their extensive paved road system that extensive paved road system that was used by the government for was used by the government for communication. They were also communication. They were also famous for the incredible amount famous for the incredible amount of gold and wealth of the Inca of gold and wealth of the Inca rulers. The Inca grew special grains rulers. The Inca grew special grains for food such as amaranth and for food such as amaranth and quinoa which are now becoming quinoa which are now becoming popular in other parts of the world. popular in other parts of the world. Despite their success, the Inca did Despite their success, the Inca did not have a written language not have a written language though they did have counting though they did have counting system which used knotted strings system which used knotted strings for maintaining number records. for maintaining number records. When the Spanish arrived under When the Spanish arrived under the command of Pizarro in the the command of Pizarro in the early 1500s they destroyed much early 1500s they destroyed much of the Inca civilization in their of the Inca civilization in their conquest for gold. conquest for gold.

Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas

MayasMayas

Mayan Ruins

Mayan RuinsMayan Ruins

North American Indian North American Indian TribesTribes Generally low techGenerally low tech Hunter/GatherersHunter/Gatherers Corn (maize) was Corn (maize) was

the staple cropthe staple crop Iroquois of the east Iroquois of the east

coast were the coast were the most advanced of most advanced of the North the North American tribesAmerican tribes

IroquoisIroquois

Much more advanced than most Much more advanced than most North American TribesNorth American Tribes

Matrilineal Culture – Power and Matrilineal Culture – Power and possessions passed down to the possessions passed down to the female sidefemale side

Closest thing to the Aztecs, Mayas Closest thing to the Aztecs, Mayas and Incasand Incas

Iroquois LeagueIroquois League

The Iroquois Indians lived The Iroquois Indians lived in the eastern woodlands. in the eastern woodlands. The eastern woodlands The eastern woodlands was an area made up of was an area made up of New York, Pennsylvania, New York, Pennsylvania, and the southeast part of and the southeast part of Canada. The Iroquois Canada. The Iroquois Indians were made up of Indians were made up of several tribes such as: several tribes such as: Mohawk, Oneida, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. Seneca, and Tuscarora. Their language was Their language was Iroquoian.Iroquoian.

Pueblo Indian DwellingPueblo Indian DwellingMesa Verde Cliff Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Palace

Indirect Discoverers of Indirect Discoverers of AmericaAmerica

1.1. Original Native Americans who came Original Native Americans who came across the Bering Straitacross the Bering Strait

2.2. VikingsVikings

3.3. CrusadersCrusaders

4.4. Birth of Nation-StatesBirth of Nation-States

5.5. Marco PoloMarco Polo

6.6. Gutenberg’s Printing PressGutenberg’s Printing Press

7.7. Prince Henry of PortugalPrince Henry of Portugal

1. Native Americans 1. Native Americans at the Bering Straitat the Bering Strait First Native First Native

Americans that Americans that walked across walked across the Bering Strait the Bering Strait must be given must be given credit as indirect credit as indirect discoverers of discoverers of AmericaAmerica

2. Vikings2. Vikings The most important European explorers from The most important European explorers from

the fall ofthe Roman Empire to about the 1000's the fall ofthe Roman Empire to about the 1000's were the Vikings, who originally came from were the Vikings, who originally came from Scandinavia. About 800, they settled the Scandinavia. About 800, they settled the Shetlands, the Faroes, and other islands in the Shetlands, the Faroes, and other islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. About 860, a storm drove North Atlantic Ocean. About 860, a storm drove a Viking ship to a large island that was later a Viking ship to a large island that was later named Iceland. The Norse began to settle named Iceland. The Norse began to settle Iceland about 870, and it became the base for Iceland about 870, and it became the base for later voyages. later voyages.

About 900, Gunnbjorn Ulfsson, a Viking leader, About 900, Gunnbjorn Ulfsson, a Viking leader, sighted Greenland. About 982, Eric the Red sighted Greenland. About 982, Eric the Red began exploring the coast of this huge island. began exploring the coast of this huge island. Eric and other Vikings later established colonies Eric and other Vikings later established colonies there. there.

About 986, another Viking leader, Bjarni About 986, another Viking leader, Bjarni Herjolfsson (BYAHR nee hehr YOHLF suhn), was Herjolfsson (BYAHR nee hehr YOHLF suhn), was driven off course while sailing from Iceland to driven off course while sailing from Iceland to Greenland. Herjolfsson sighted a coastline to the Greenland. Herjolfsson sighted a coastline to the west--probably North America--but he did not west--probably North America--but he did not land there. Instead, he went on to Greenland. land there. Instead, he went on to Greenland. About 1000, Leif Ericson, son of Eric the Red, led About 1000, Leif Ericson, son of Eric the Red, led an exploring party to the land Herjolfsson had an exploring party to the land Herjolfsson had sighted. He set up a base at a place he called sighted. He set up a base at a place he called Vinland. No one knows exactly where Vinland Vinland. No one knows exactly where Vinland was, but most experts believe that it lay in what was, but most experts believe that it lay in what is now the Canadian province of Newfoundland. is now the Canadian province of Newfoundland. Vikings made several other voyages to Vinland Vikings made several other voyages to Vinland and established a colony there. But conflicts and established a colony there. But conflicts with the local peoples and other problems led with the local peoples and other problems led the Vikings to abandon the colony about 1014. the Vikings to abandon the colony about 1014.

3. Crusades3. Crusades

Series of wars in Series of wars in Europe over Europe over Jerusalem between Jerusalem between Christians and Christians and MuslimsMuslims

Pope made a plea to Pope made a plea to Lords of manors for Lords of manors for soldierssoldiers

Forced people off Forced people off manors and piqued manors and piqued their interests in their interests in exploration of the exploration of the easteast

4.4. Creation of Nation-Creation of Nation-StatesStates

Creation of Portugal, Spain, France Creation of Portugal, Spain, France and Germanyand Germany

Walls of manors came down and Walls of manors came down and lords took over more territories. lords took over more territories.

Creation of countries with kings Creation of countries with kings who craved power and richeswho craved power and riches

Kings sent out explores to find Kings sent out explores to find richesriches

5. Marco Polo5. Marco Polo

1295 sent out to 1295 sent out to Asia and lived there Asia and lived there for many yearsfor many years

Wrote the “Book of Wrote the “Book of Sir Marco Polo”Sir Marco Polo”

Told stories of his 20 Told stories of his 20 year journey to year journey to China.China.

Book told of riches Book told of riches and treasure of east and treasure of east that stimulated that stimulated Europeans to travel Europeans to travel and venture out.and venture out.

6. Gutenberg’s 6. Gutenberg’s Printing PressPrinting Press 1455—Printing Press1455—Printing Press

Gutenberg invents a Gutenberg invents a moveable type printing moveable type printing press made of cast press made of cast metal and publishes the metal and publishes the first Bible. His invention first Bible. His invention of the printing press led of the printing press led to acceleration of to acceleration of printed materials printed materials making books widely making books widely available for the first available for the first time.time.

7. Prince Henry’s 7. Prince Henry’s School For Navigators School For Navigators Invented the caravel – Invented the caravel –

a ship that could sail a ship that could sail against the windagainst the wind

Invented the compassInvented the compass Eventually reached Eventually reached

the West Coast of the West Coast of Africa in search of an Africa in search of an all-water route to Asiaall-water route to Asia

Dias and Da Gama Dias and Da Gama sailed for Portugalsailed for Portugal

Prince Henry's School of Navigation by Charles Frederick William Mielatz

Diaz and Da GamaDiaz and Da Gama

Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus

Born in Genoa, ItalyBorn in Genoa, Italy Goal was to sail west Goal was to sail west

to get the east to get the east (China)(China)

Convinced Queen Convinced Queen Isabella and King Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain to Ferdinand of Spain to finance his journey.finance his journey.

Left Spain August 3, Left Spain August 3, 1492 and arrived in 1492 and arrived in San Salvador on San Salvador on October 12, 1492October 12, 1492

Columbian Columbian MiscalculationsMiscalculations 2 Major 2 Major

miscalculations miscalculations made by made by ColumbusColumbus1.1. Underestimated Underestimated

the size of the the size of the worldworld

2.2. Did not realize that Did not realize that a big land mass a big land mass (the Americas) (the Americas) blocked his path.blocked his path.

Reconstructions of the Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina

Reprinted courtesy of NASA

Treaty of TordesillasTreaty of Tordesillas

The pope wrote a decree( a law) granting the Spanish control of all lands discovered (or to be discovered) by Columbus.  He drew an imaginary line from north to south in the Atlantic.  All land and sea west of the line would belong to Spain, and all land east of the line would belong to Portugal.  In 1494, the rulers of the two countries signed the treaty of Tordesillas to establish this boundary.

Amerigo VespucciAmerigo Vespucci

Proved that Proved that Columbus Columbus discover a “new discover a “new world” and had world” and had not reached Asianot reached Asia

BalboaBalboa

Balboa Balboa was a Spanish was a Spanish Conquistador and Explorer. Conquistador and Explorer. He was the first European He was the first European to see the eastern edge of to see the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean, after the Pacific Ocean, after making an arduous trek making an arduous trek across the Isthmus of across the Isthmus of Panama. His discovery of Panama. His discovery of the eastern shores of the the eastern shores of the Pacific made Central and Pacific made Central and South America accessible South America accessible to Europeans by sea and to Europeans by sea and stimulated the exploration, stimulated the exploration, settlement, and conquest settlement, and conquest of these lands. of these lands.

Balboa's route across the Panama isthmus in 1513.

Ferdinand MagellanFerdinand Magellan

a Portuguese maritime explorer a Portuguese maritime explorer who led the first successful who led the first successful attempt to circumnavigate the attempt to circumnavigate the Earth. Magellan himself did not Earth. Magellan himself did not complete his final voyage; he complete his final voyage; he was killed during a Battle in was killed during a Battle in the Philippines. He became the the Philippines. He became the first person to lead an first person to lead an expedition sailing westward expedition sailing westward from Europe to Asia and to from Europe to Asia and to cross the Pacific Ocean.cross the Pacific Ocean.

Of the 250 or so crew members Of the 250 or so crew members who set out with Magellan to who set out with Magellan to circumnavigate the globe, only circumnavigate the globe, only 18 managed to return to Spain 18 managed to return to Spain and thereby complete the and thereby complete the circumnavigation. They were circumnavigation. They were led by Spaniard Juan Sebastián led by Spaniard Juan Sebastián Elcano, who took over Elcano, who took over command of the expedition command of the expedition after Magellan's death.after Magellan's death.

Copyright: NMM London

Contributions of the Contributions of the Magellan VoyageMagellan Voyage

1.1. Proved the world was roundProved the world was round

2.2. Proved there was no passage Proved there was no passage through South Americathrough South America

3.3. Proved the vastness of the Pacific Proved the vastness of the Pacific OceanOcean

4.4. Proved the vastness of the planetProved the vastness of the planet

5.5. Gave mapmakers a better idea of Gave mapmakers a better idea of the landscapethe landscape

Strait of MagellanStrait of Magellan

The The Strait of MagellanStrait of Magellan is a navigable route is a navigable route immediately south of immediately south of mainland South America. mainland South America. The strait is arguably the The strait is arguably the most important natural most important natural passage between the passage between the Pacific and the Atlantic Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, but it is oceans, but it is considered a difficult considered a difficult route to navigate route to navigate because of the because of the inhospitable climate and inhospitable climate and the narrowness of the the narrowness of the passage.passage.

Juan Ponce de LeonJuan Ponce de Leon

Spanish Spanish conquistadorconquistador

who discovered who discovered Florida while Florida while looking for gold looking for gold and the “fountain and the “fountain of youth”of youth”

Francisco CoronadoFrancisco Coronado

This map shows the This map shows the explorations of explorations of Francisco Vasquez de Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in the Coronado in the American Southwest. American Southwest. Coronado searched Coronado searched in vain for the in vain for the legendary cities of legendary cities of Cibola and Quivira. Cibola and Quivira. The present-day The present-day state boundaries are state boundaries are also shown.also shown.

World Book map

Hernando De SotoHernando De Soto

600 men undertook 600 men undertook a gold-seeking a gold-seeking journey during journey during 1593-1542. They 1593-1542. They discovered the discovered the Mississippi River.Mississippi River.

In their search for In their search for wealth, de Soto and wealth, de Soto and his men tortured his men tortured and brutally killed and brutally killed many Indians. many Indians. Prints and Photographs Division. Library of

Congress.

Hernando CortezHernando Cortez

Conquering the Aztecs took Conquering the Aztecs took more than two years. At more than two years. At the start, Cortes skillfully the start, Cortes skillfully made associations with made associations with Indian leaders, Indian leaders, communicating through communicating through interpreters. One of these interpreters. One of these interpreters was a young interpreters was a young Indian woman known as Indian woman known as Malinche. Malinche.

Cortes captured Cortes captured Montezuma and killed him Montezuma and killed him and took over and took over Tenochititlan.Tenochititlan.

Cortes defeated the Cortes defeated the Aztecs, and won gold for Aztecs, and won gold for SpainSpain Hernando Cortes sailed from Cuba to

Mexico in 1519 and conquered the Aztec Indians there in 1521.

Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro

Pizarro defeated Pizarro defeated the Incas of the Incas of South America.South America.

Wong gold and Wong gold and glory for Spainglory for Spain

John CabotJohn Cabot

In 1497 John Cabot In 1497 John Cabot and his men explored and his men explored the shores of the shores of Newfoundland, Nova Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Labrador Scotia, and Labrador and gave fishing and gave fishing rights to the English. rights to the English. England claimed the England claimed the whole east coast of whole east coast of North America North America because they claimed because they claimed that Cabot was the that Cabot was the first to reach the first to reach the North American North American mainland. mainland.

Giovanni da Verranzo Giovanni da Verranzo

Looking for the Northwest Looking for the Northwest PassagePassage

Verrazano was sent on the Verrazano was sent on the first voyages by the King of first voyages by the King of France to find a western France to find a western route to China. He had 4 route to China. He had 4 ships, 2 of them were ships, 2 of them were shipwrecked, but luckily 1 shipwrecked, but luckily 1 survived and it was sent survived and it was sent back carrying prizes such back carrying prizes such as gold, silver, and spices. as gold, silver, and spices. He sailed south until he He sailed south until he reached Carolina. reached Carolina. Verrazano was the first Verrazano was the first European to enter New European to enter New York Harbor York Harbor

He was eaten by cannibals He was eaten by cannibals in the Caribbean in the Caribbean

Jacques CartierJacques Cartier

Looking for the Looking for the Northwest PassageNorthwest Passage

The French navigator The French navigator Jacques Cartier led two Jacques Cartier led two exploratory expeditions exploratory expeditions to North America, both to North America, both funded by King Francis I. funded by King Francis I. He claimed the area he He claimed the area he discovered for France, discovered for France, and named the St. and named the St. Lawrence River, which Lawrence River, which he explored as far as he explored as far as present-day Montreal present-day Montreal