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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?