American History: European Exploration Lesson
Lesson Overview
- Why Study Early American History?
- Key Themes
- Pre-Columbian America – The First Americans
- European Exploration & The Age of Discovery
- The Columbian Exchange
- Spanish, French, and English Colonization Compared
- The Rise of Mercantilism
- Why Does This Matter?
Understand the cultural, political, and economic transformations brought about by European exploration and the Columbian Exchange. In this lesson, analyze key historical events that shaped early America and develop the ability to critically engage with historical narratives.
Why Study Early American History?
Before the United States existed, the land was home to thriving Native American civilizations. These societies had diverse cultures, complex political systems, and extensive trade networks. When Europeans arrived in the 15th and 16th centuries, they did not "discover" the land but rather encountered and transformed it through trade, colonization, and conflict.
Understanding how the Americas changed due to European exploration and settlement helps us grasp the roots of modern American society. The economic motives of mercantilism, the Columbian Exchange, and the interaction of three worlds (Europe, Africa, and the Americas) laid the foundation for future conflicts, cultural blending, and the birth of the United States.
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Key Themes
| Key Theme | Main Idea |
| Native American Societies | Before European contact, Native Americans lived in diverse civilizations, such as the Mississippian culture, the Iroquois Confederacy, and the Pueblo peoples. |
| European Exploration | Motivated by gold, God, and glory, European nations sought wealth and new trade routes. Spain, Portugal, England, and France played major roles. |
| Columbian Exchange | The movement of people, goods, diseases, and ideas between the Old and New Worlds. This dramatically altered populations, economies, and ecosystems. |
| Spanish, French & English Colonization | Each European power approached colonization differently. Spain sought gold and conversion, France relied on fur trade, and England focused on settlements and agriculture. |
| Mercantilism & Economic Policies | European nations sought to maximize exports and control colonial trade to increase their wealth. |
Pre-Columbian America – The First Americans
Before 1492, millions of Native Americans lived across North America in advanced societies. Contrary to popular belief, these civilizations had:
Large urban centers (e.g., Cahokia, which had 40,000 people).
Agricultural economies with maize, beans, and squash as staple crops.
Political alliances, like the Iroquois Confederacy, which influenced American democracy.
Native American Cultural Regions
| Region | Tribes | Way of Life |
| Eastern Woodlands | Iroquois, Algonquian | Hunting, farming, permanent villages |
| Plains | Sioux, Cheyenne | Nomadic, buffalo hunting |
| Southwest | Pueblo, Navajo | Adobe homes, irrigation farming |
| Pacific Northwest | Chinook, Tlingit | Fishing, totem poles, potlatch ceremonies |
European Exploration & The Age of Discovery
In the 1400s and 1500s, European nations competed to explore and conquer new lands. Motivated by economic and religious goals, they sought to expand their power.
Why Did Europeans Explore? (The 3 G's)
| G's | What It Meant |
| Gold | Wealth through gold, silver, and trade routes. |
| Glory | National pride and power in Europe. |
| God | Spreading Christianity to new lands. |
Key Explorers to Remember:
Christopher Columbus (1492): Landed in the Caribbean, mistakenly thinking he reached Asia.
Hernán Cortés (1519): Conquered the Aztecs in Mexico.
Francisco Pizarro (1532): Conquered the Inca Empire in Peru.
Henry Hudson (1609): Explored North America for the Dutch.
The Columbian Exchange
One of the biggest turning points in world history was the Columbian Exchange, the transfer of food, animals, people, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.
Impact of the Columbian Exchange
| From Europe to Americas | From Americas to Europe |
| Horses, cattle, pigs | Potatoes, tomatoes, corn |
| Smallpox, measles, influenza | Tobacco, chocolate, vanilla |
| Wheat, rice | Peppers, beans, squash |
The Tragic Effect:
Diseases like smallpox wiped out 90% of Native American populations in some areas. The lack of immunity among indigenous people led to devastating losses.
Spanish, French, and English Colonization Compared
Each European nation had a different strategy for colonization.
Colonial Approaches
| Nation | Main Goals | Native Relations |
| Spain | Gold, Christianity | Harsh treatment, forced labor (Encomienda system) |
| France | Fur trade | Friendly alliances with natives |
| England | Permanent settlements | Conflicts over land |
English Colonization Focus:
The Roanoke Colony (1587) – The first attempted English settlement, mysteriously disappeared.
Jamestown (1607) – First successful English colony, led by John Smith.
Plymouth (1620) – Settled by the Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom.
The Rise of Mercantilism
Mercantilism: An economic system where a country exports more than it imports to amass wealth.
Mercantilist Policies in the Colonies:
Colonies could only trade with their mother country.
Raw materials (tobacco, cotton) were sent to England in exchange for finished goods.
Navigation Acts restricted colonial trade with other nations.
Why Does This Matter?
Early American history explains how global interactions shaped the continent. The Columbian Exchange, mercantilism, and European colonization still influence modern America today. This chapter sets the stage for later topics like colonial conflicts, the American Revolution, and the formation of a new nation.
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