Exploration in the New World
Three Worlds Collide
1394-1600
1.Native Americans (pre-Colombian era)
Zuni (SW North America)
Hopi
Pueblo
Mound builders (Miss. and Ohio valleys)
1) Zuni/Hopi developed carefully planned communities. Large terraced buildings, irrigation canals, limited agriculture, hillside terracing to bring water to their arid fields.
2) In their use of agricultural techniques, their skill in ceramics, use of woven textiles for clothing, and their village life, many Pueblo societies resembled that of peasant communities in most of Europe and Asia.
2. Conflicting Values
A. European characteristics
1) Environment - the world is a resource for mans use; subdue the earth and have dominion over every living that moves on this earth. Belief in private property, the soil is a resource for man to exploit. Fundamental concept of private property: attached to individual identity, material wealth, political status, personal identity.
2) Religion - Christianity (Protestant Reformation /Catholicism vs. Protestantism)
3) Patriarchal society
4) Social structure - founded on capitalist principal
B. Native American characteristics
1) Relationship to natural environment (communal oriented)
2) Religious beliefs lacked structure and was animated by a belief in a spirit power dwelling throughout nature.
3) Matriarchal/matrilineal
4) Social structure (personal valor, bravery, courage)
3. Kingdoms of Africa
Ghana (14th century NW Africa)
Mali
Congo
S. Africa
1) Trans Saharan caravan trade with the Muslim world based on gold/complex political structures developed, skilled metal working, regional trade, codes of law, education centers.
2)Matrilineal structure - family unit basic social organization
3)Religion - supreme creator/spirits connected with nature.
4. European Expansion
A. At the end of the 11th century eastern Europe stagnated under Byzantine rule, while western Europe had succumbed completely to feudalism. trade and learning had virtually disappeared as the minor lords who governed each isolated community warred on each other.
B. Influence of the crusades (silks, gems, tapestries, spices) highly prized and demanded as necessities by the Europeans)
C. Europe's adverse trade balance (looking for new markets and a cheaper source of supply).
D. Demand for Oriental trade (more direct route would eliminate two sets of middlemen)
1) Rise of National States - during the 14th century such nations as Portugal, Spain, France, and England gradually emerged, as strong kings welded feudal estates into kingdoms. Only these united nations had the resources necessary to finance voyages to the orient.
2) Commercial Revolution/ Rise of Capitalism (initiative, competition)
5. The search for a route to the Orient
A. Portugal and the Eastern Route - Portugal under Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), took the initiative in seeking a direct route to the Far East. Bartholomew Diaz and Vasco da Gama
B Spain and her Western Route - with Portugal monopolizing the eastern route, Spain was forced to reach the east by sailing west. Ferdinand and Isabella and Christopher Columbus.
C. Division of the New World - Treaty of Tordesillas (Demarcation Line, May 4,1493)
D. The Europeans discovered of the heavily populated Americas offered an especially rewarding opportunity to convert to Christianity millions of people who might otherwise be seduced by the "infidel" Muslim world
1) Catholics/Protestant division in Europe.
a) Martin Luther - reformist who wanted to return to true Christianity and purity. Salvation comes from within. Rejection of church clergy, elaborate rule of hierarchy, attacked the sale of indulgences.
b) John Calvin - supported Luther's reform and called for more extreme reforms. Daily glorification of God, predestination, self discipline/self control.
2) Religious wars and revolts rock Europe.
6. The Spanish Onslaught (1492-1518)
A. Within a single generation of Columbus's death(1506), Spanish conquistadors explored, claimed, and conquered most of the Caribbean, S. America, Central America, and southern parts of N. America from Florida to California.
1)Religion
2) Nationalism
3)Dreams of personal fortune and adventure
1519 Cortez defeats Aztec Empire
1533 Pizarro crushes the Inca Empire
B. The Great Dying
C. Thriving oceanic trade in gold, silver, dyewoods, sugar going east. African slaves, colonizers, and finished goods going west. Tri-racial character of the Americas established. 7 million lbs of silver bullion (extracted by the slave labor of the Africans and native indigenous culture) made it back to Europe.
1) Financed further conquests and settlement in Spain's' empire.
2) Spurred long distant trade with the Orient
3) Financed and helped capitalization on agricultural development in the New World.(coffee, indigo, cacao, sugar).
4) Fueled commercial development and expansion within Europe.
5) Created a redistribution of wealth (results in inflation and depression, more people living on the margins of society, pressure to emigrate to the Americas (the new frontier).
D. Spain's' Northern Frontier
Florida, Gulf Region, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, California
1515-1521 Ponce De Leone (economically / religiously)
7. English Colonization
1497 John Cabot claims eastern seaboard for England.
1)1583 several unsuccessful attempts to settle New Foundland.
2)1620's-1630's most of English capital invested overseas went into establishing tobacco colonies in the Caribbean islands of St. Christopher(1624), Barbados(1627), Antigua(1632), Monserrat(1632).
8. Motives for English Colonization
A. Religious
B. Social
1) Overcrowding at home
2) Desire for adventure
C. Economic
1) Need for outlets for capital
2) Need for raw material (mercantilism)
3) Need for Markets
D. Events in the 16th century propelled the English overseas
1) The rising production of woolen cloth, a mainstay of the English economy, had sent merchants looking for new markets
2) Previously successful trading companies in Russia, Scandinavia, the Middle East, and India.
3) Population growth and depressed economy.
4.) Religious(Protestant England vs. Catholic Spain).
E) Defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588)
1) Seas more open to English and Dutch maritime and commercial interests.
2) Solidified Protestantism,prevented a crushing Catholic victory in Europe, incited a fierce Nationalistic spirit.