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CHAPTER 1THE MEETINGOF CULTURES

Chapter Summary

Before European explorers arrived in the Americas, Native Americans had developed many forms ofsocial organizations that differed from one another in their levels of achievement. Europeans, concernedfirst with exploiting the New World and its peoples, regarded the natives as savages and set out todestroy their societies and replace them with a variation of European culture. The biological disasterbrought on by smallpox and other diseases made it easier for the Europeans to conquer the tribes andcivilizations, and to impose on the Native Americans a number of different colonial systems. To helpmake up for the Native Americans' labor lost through wars and epidemics, Europeans brought in Africanslaves, who added to the cultural diversity of America. Conflicts in the Old World spilled over into thenew as different nations got into the race for colonies. By the end of the sixteenth century, the age ofdiscovery was all but over, and the great era O

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A thorough study of Chapter I should enable the student to understand

The history of the Native Americans before the arrival of Columbus.

What the New World was like at the time of Christopher Columbus.

The ways in which the peoples of the New and Old Worlds affe.cted each other when theirsocieties came in contact in the late fifteenth century.

The changes taking place in Western Europe that resulted in widespread interest incolonization.

The colonial policies of each nation involved, and the effect each had on the future of theAmericas.

The reasons for the rivalry between Spain and England during the sixteenth and seventeenthcenturies, and the impact of that rivalry on international affairs.

The African culture from which slaves were taken and the early development of slavery.

The role of religion in European efforts to colonize the New World.

The ways in which the experiences of the English in Ireland influenced their efforts tocolonize North America.

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Main Themes

The first efforts of the English to establish a colony, and the reasons for their failure.

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The colonization of the Americas was a collision of cultures--the European and NativeAmerican--that had been developing along completely different lines for thousands of years.

A variety of ambitions and impulses (such as international rivalries, the quest for wealth andpersonal glory, and a desire to spread the Christian religion) moved individuals and nationsto colonize the New World.

The motives of the colonizers and their experiences prior to immigrating shaped theirattitudes toward Native American cultures.

-f-. Points for Discussion-+,

r]~ Whatwasthe natureof the Indiansocietiesand their geographicdistributionbeforethe~ coming of the European explorers? What relationship existed between their subsistence

patterns and their general culture?

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What "discoveries" were made in America before 1600? Which of these led to colonizationand which did not? What contributed to the success of these colonization efforts?

What did the Indian cultures contribute to the Europeans, and why, despite the~econtributions, did the invaders still think of the Native Americans as savages?

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How were the Spanish and English motives for colonization different? How were theysimilar? How were these motives reflected in the organization of the colonies theyestablished?

What was the social and cultural background of the Africans brought to America? How didthis background differ from that of the Indians? Europeans? In what ways were thebackgrounds of these people similar?

In what ways did England, Spain, and other European nations use the experience gained inearlier exploration and colonization when they attempted to colonize America?

European colonization has often been said to have been motivated by "gold, God, and glory."Assess this interpretation of the motives behind the European colonization of America.

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The arrival of Europeans in America resulted in a complex interaction of cultures. Explainhow this interaction was harmful and/or beneficial to both Europeans and Native Americans.

How did the cultural interaction mentioned in question number 8 change with the arrival ofAfrican slaves? Examine the origins of the African slave trade and the impact whichAfricans had on the economy and culture of colonial America.

Who were the "positivists," and why has their approach to history been rejected by mostscholars today?

Explain the efforts that have been made to determine the population of America beforeColumbus.

MaR Exercises

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Identify the principal subsistence patterns of early Native Americans.

What was the geographic distribution of Native Americans discussed in this chapter?

Identify the routes of exploration and the nations that sponsored these ventures.

Identify the centers of European settlement.

Interpretative Questions Based on Maps and Text

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How did the geographic distribution and subsistence patterns of Native Americans influencetheir cultural development?

European exploration and colonization affected Native Americans in many ways.Considering where Europeans explored and planted settlements, which Indian cultures wereaffected most? How did initial exploration make it easier for future explorers (even fromrival nations) to settle the area?

How did conditions in Europe help to promote the exploration and settlement of America?How does the location of American colonies reflect the geographic situation of the mothercountry? (Students may want to consult the world map in the Appendix of the text for thisquestion. )

Consider the location of principal Spanish cities. Which of these appear to have beenestablished for trading purposes? For military (strategic or defensive) purposes? For both?How did the Spanish missions fit into this settlement scheme?

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America. Based on these maps, what was the impact of the English arrival in NorthAmerica? Why did the English system prevail in this region? What other factors contributedto English success here?

Essay Questions

These essays are based on the map exercises. They are designed to test students' knowledge of thegeography of the area discussed in this chapter and to test their knowledge of its historical development.Careful reading of the text will help them answer these questions.

1. In what ways did European exploration and colonization affect Native Americans? Inanswering this question, note where Europeans explored and planted settlements. Whatcultural regions were affected most? Why was the impact of Europeans greater here? Howdid initial exploration make it easier for future explorers (even from rival nations) to settlethe area?

2. What conditions existed in Europe that helped to promote the exploration and settlement ofAmerica? How did the geographic situation of European countries influence patterns ofcolonial settlement? (Students will want to consult the world map in the Appendix of the textfor helpon this.) .

3. Study the maps in this chapter of the text. Based on these, what do you feel was the impactof the English arrival in North America? Why did the English system prevail in this region?What other factors contributed to English success here?

Why are there so many different interpretations of the past.? What factors make it difficultfor historians to agree on events and their meaning? How are these disagreements reflectedin efforts to determine the population of America before Columbus?

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