PERIOD 1: 1491–1607
Key Concept 1.2: European overseas expansion resulted in the Columbian
Exchange, a series of interactions and adaptations among societies across
the Atlantic.
(AMSCO pages 5-10; Pageant broken up and spread apart pages 13-25; with some good charts—especially on page 15)
I. The arrival of Europeans in the Western Hemisphere in the 15th and 16th centuries
triggered extensive demographic and social changes on both sides of the Atlantic.
A. Spanish and Portuguese exploration and conquest of the Americas led to
widespread deadly epidemics, the emergence of racially mixed populations,
and a caste system defined by an intermixture among Spanish settlers,
Africans, and Native Americans. (Pageant 13-23 to get a better overview, 14-16 for specifics; AMSCO pages 5-11)
Know well the following terms
• smallpox, Mestizo, Zambo
B. Spanish and Portuguese traders reached West Africa and partnered with
some African groups to exploit local resources and recruit slave labor for the
Americas. (Pageant 13-14 and 11; AMSCO 6)
C. The introduction of new crops and livestock by the Spanish had far-reaching
effects on native settlement patterns, as well as on economic, social, and
political development in the Western Hemisphere. (Pageant 14-23, specifically 17. See chart/map on page 15—read all the text; AMSCO 6-7)
Know how cows, pigs and horses changed the Americas
• horses, cows, pigs
D. In the economies of the Spanish colonies, Indian labor, used in the
encomienda system to support plantation-based agriculture and extractprecious metals and other resources, was gradually replaced by Africanslavery. (Pageant pages 16 & 17 plus some in later chapters; AMSCO pages 6 & 7 plus the essay on page 13—Along with the Alfred Crosby essay we are going to read together)
Know the effects of at least the following on American Indian groups, South and Northern American; know the effects on the colonial powers.
• sugar, silver
II. European expansion into the Western Hemisphere caused intense social/religious,
political, and economic competition in Europe and the promotion of empire building. (Pageant Chapter 1, 21-23, but also Chapter 2, page 25; AMSCO 9-11)
A. European exploration and conquest were fueled by a desire for new sources
of wealth, increased power and status, and converts to Christianity.(Pageant pages 22-23—and later in Chapter 2; AMSCO 5)
B. New crops from the Americas stimulated European population growth, while
new sources of mineral wealth facilitated the European shift from feudalism
to capitalism.Pageant Chapter 2, pages 27 and Chapter 1 page 17: AMSCO 5-7)
KNOW the importance of the following: these food groups changed Europe, Africa, China and the Americas. How?
Teachers have flexibility to use examples such as the following:
• corn, potatoes
C. Improvements in technology and more organized methods for conducting
international trade helped drive changes to economies in Europe and the
Americas.
Know the examples of early trading: examples such as the following:
• sextant, joint-stock companies (Pageant Chapter 2, 28; AMSCO Chapter 2, pages 28, & 35-36)