Download "The Impact of the Age of Exploration on the Americas" Packet

Directions: As you read the following
article, use the provided chart to take notes
by answering the questions. This article and
chart will be your notes for this class. There
will be NO PowerPoint or fill-in-the blank
notes.
The Impact of the Age of
Exploration on the Americas
Let’s recap…In 1453, the Muslim Ottoman
Turks captured Constantinople (modern day
Istanbul, Turkey), cutting off many of
Europe’s trade routes to Asia. As a result, the
countries of Europe had to look for alternate
trade routes. Other reasons that led to the Age of Exploration was the constant, high demand of natural resources, the
growing competition among European countries (mercantilism), new maritime innovations and technologies, and the
desire to spread Christianity. In response, the European’s sent out explorers and established colonies all over the
world…Now what?
European Country:
Spain
France
Britain
Portugal
Territorial Claims and Established Colonies in the
Americas (see map on reverse side)
Mexico, Central America, South America, Southwestern United States, Florida
Canada, Midwestern United States, Louisiana
Eastern United States (The 13 Colonies)
Brazil
The Columbian Exchange:
Since many of the
exchanges of goods, people
and ideas began with the
explorations of Columbus, they
are often called the Columbian
Exchange. This concept can be
defined as the widespread
transfer of animals, plants,
culture,
human
populations, communicable
diseases, technology and ideas
between North and South
America and Europe.
European expansion
into the Americas meant the
introduction of new goods on
both sides of the Atlantic. The
arrival of American goods in
Europe strengthened the drive to establish and expand colonies. The first colonies in the Americas sent food products to
Europe that most Europeans had never seen before, such as corn, potatoes, and tobacco. As Europeans became more and
more accustomed to these new items, the demand for them grew. This demand meant that more people were willing to
pay high prices for goods. Thus, traders and colonists, seeking profit, increased their colonies’ farming efforts wherever
they could.
In the Americas, European farming practices increased efficiency but destroyed native economies. The Europeans
brought horses to the Americas, which had no native horses. The horses provided power for plowing and transporting
crops, and European cattle provided a new food source.
New Cultural and Social Patterns:
With the establishment of European colonies, especially in the New World or Western Hemisphere (North and
South America), many Europeans began to make their way to these
colonies, bringing with them their culture from the Old World or Eastern
Hemisphere (Europe). One of largest cultural aspects that they brought to
their new homes was their religion. As a result of cultural diffusion (the
spreading of culture), one of the Europe’s goals that set the foundation for
the Age of Exploration was accomplished; Christianity was being spread
with the conversion of the indigenous people.
One lasting result of the Spanish colonies was the creation of a
new social class system in Mexico and parts of Central and South America.
Since the Spanish settlers were mostly men, over time there were many
marriages with Native American women. The children of these marriages
were called mestizos – mixed Spanish and Native American people. A rigid
class system or hierarchy (a system or organization in which people or
groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority)
developed with the Spanish at the top, Mestizos in the middle, and Native
Americans at the bottom, with a dictatorial rule of possessions set in place,
where the Spanish were the wealthiest.
Overall, the native Spaniards were very oppressive towards the
indigenous populations. Native American’s were forced to work various
hard, back breaking jobs in a horrible system known as encomienda, or Spanish slavery. These jobs included farming,
ranching, and mining.
European Diseases and Decimation of Indigenous People:
The most devastating effect of the Spanish conquests was the importation of European diseases into the Americas.
The Native American people had no immunity against European diseases such as swine flu, smallpox, and measles. Until
the Europeans arrived, these diseases were unheard of in North and South America. Millions of indigenous people died as
a result of the exposure. The Spanish conquistadors, such as Hernando Cortez and Francisco Pizarro, used this horrific
situation to their advantage. With the Aztec and Incan populations dwindling, these men were able to conquer these once
powerful empires.
Notes:
What major event in 1453 led to European countries seeking
alternate trade routes?
What is the Columbian Exchanged?
What were three of the food products that the Europeans had never
seen before but where introduced to as a result of the Columbian
Exchange?
What two animals were introduced to North and South America by
the Europeans?
What is cultural diffusion?
What was one of the cultural aspects that European colonists
brought with them that helped accomplish one of their exploration
goals?
How was Christianity being spread in the New World?
Which European country established a rigid social class in the New
World?
What is a mestizo?
What is a hierarchy?
Describe the social hierarchy that the Spanish established in the
Americas.
In this social hierarchy, who was the wealthiest? Why where they
the wealthiest?
What word is used to describe the Spaniard’s behavior towards the
Native Americans?
What was encomienda?
What jobs did the Native Americans have in encomienda?
What was the most devastating effect that the Spanish conquest had
on the Native American populations?
Name three examples of diseases which were brought over to the
Americas by the Europeans.
Why were the Native Americans so susceptible to these diseases?
What was the result of the Native Americans exposure to these
European diseases?
How did the Spanish conquistadors use the effects of these diseases
to their advantage?