The Atlantic World, 1492-1800

1. The Atlantic World, 1492-1800

2. I. Spain Colonizes the Americas • 1492 – Columbus sets sail in search of route to India • Never reached India, “discovered” Americas for Spain • Spain began turning lands of the Americas into colonies: • Lands that are controlled by another nation • Other explorers • Pedro Alvares Cabral – claimed land that becomes Brazil for Portuguese • Ferdinand Magellan – sailed south around South America, sailed west through Pacific Ocean • Died in Philippines • Only 18 of 250 men made it back to Spain

3. I. Continued… • Conquistadors • Hernando Cortes – defeated Aztecs in 1521 • Superior weapons, diseases from Old World (small pox, measles, typhus) • Francisco Pizarro – conquered Incan Empire in 1532 • Francisco de Coronado – headed north to present-day United States in search of gold • Settling In • Spanish imposed their culture onto Natives • Forced conversion to Catholicism, feudal-like social/economic system • Large mestizo population develops – mix of Spanish and Native American • System of encomiendas enforced – natives were forced to work for Spanish landholders • Workers were abused, worked in harsh conditions

4. I. Continued… • Spain becomes richest, most powerful nation in 16th century • Increased its wealth and military, increased territorial holdings into North America • Catholic priests became leaders in colonizing and converting in North America • Many, however, pushed for better treatment of native peoples • Encomienda system abolished in 1542 – moved towards African slavery as main source of labor • Native rebellions • Starting as early as Columbus’ arrival, natives resisted Spanish rule • 1680 – Pueblo Indians organized a rebellion that pushed the Spanish out of southwest U.S. for 12 years

5. II. Settlement of North America • England, France, and the Netherlands began competing with Spain and Portugal for dominance in Americas • France set up in modern-day Canada, known then as New France • Began moving south – by early 1700s, claimed what is now midwestern U.S., all the way to Louisiana • England’s first colony was founded in 1607 – Jamestown, Virginia • Opened the door to more settlers, mostly stayed along eastern coast • The Dutch establish New Netherland, profiting from the fur trade • Was slow to attract settlers

6. II. Continued… • Series of battles between European powers dominated the 17th and 18th centuries • 1664 – English drive out Dutch (surrendered without firing a shot) • 1754 – French and Indian War began • Was a part of a larger world conflict called the Seven Years’ War • French were defeated in 1763, England claimed all their territory in N. America • Native Americans • Came into conflict with English settlers over land and religion • Led to a series of wars and battles • 1675 – King Philip’s War was bloodiest on both sides • Disease killed more native people than warfare

7. III. Slave Trade • Slavery had already existed in Africa for centuries • Slavery among African societies common, represented wealth • Slaves had some rights, even held positions of authority • Arab merchants traded slaves to Asia beginning in 8th century • Portuguese the first to explore Africa • At first, more interested in gold than slaves • As Native American population dwindled, the need for other sources of labor increased in the Americas • Between 1500 and 1850, more than 12 million Africans shipped to Americas • Estimated 10-20% died along the way • Middle Passage – name of slave voyage to Americas • Overcrowded, unsanitary conditions • Often led to death, suicide, rebellions • Mostly men were shipped (tipped balance of African population) • Local African rulers worked with Europeans for trade of slaves/goods

8. III. Continued… • Directly linked to plantation and mining economies of Americas • Triangular trade – slaves to America, raw materials to Europe, European goods to Africa, cycle repeats itself • Impact of the Slave Trade • African families torn apart, women outnumbered men in many areas • Conflicts between African societies increased • Economies of American colonies may not have survived without the work of the slaves • Cultural blending – mix of African culture with that of the Americas/Europe • Religions – mixed Catholicism/Protestantism with traditional African beliefs (example: Vodun in Haiti)

9. III. Continued… • Slave resistance and rebellion • Kept cultural heritage alive as a way of resisting • Worked slowly, broke tools, ran away • Open revolts occurred throughout Americas • Examples: Haitian independence movement, Nat Turner in U.S. • End of Slave Trade • Abolition of the slave trade came from a variety of reasons: • Enlightenment thinking • Christian revivalism/humanitarianism • Industrial revolution – less emphasis on agriculture labor • Slave trade less important/profitable than trade of other commodities • Last country to end slave trade – Brazil (1831)

10. IV. Global Economy • Colonization of Americas created more opportunities for trade and commerce • A truly global economy emerged as goods (and people) are shipped worldwide • Columbian Exchange – global transfer of foods, plants, animals during colonization of the Americas • Agricultural products found in New World made their way to the Old World for first time • 2 most important from Americas: corn and potatoes • Played huge role in boosting world population • Americas received foods and animals not seen before • Examples: sugarcane, horses, cows • Diseases also part of exchange (mostly to the Americas)

11. IV. Continued… • Economic Revolution • Global trade created new economic systems and focus on wealth in growing nations • Mercantilism – belief that a country’s power depended on its wealth • Goal was to obtain as much wealth as possible • Wealth was obtained through export of goods • Colonies became important for nations to become self-sufficient and grow wealthy (access to raw materials, labor) • Capitalism – economic system based on private ownership and the investment of resources for profit • Individual merchants, not just governments, became very wealthy and powerful through trade

12. 5-Minute Response • Choose one of the Social Studies Themes (political, social, religious, economic, technological) and describe in detail the changes that occurred in the Atlantic World in the 15th-18th centuries.