Sponge AP US History Vol 2. Colonization

Sponge - AP United States History -
Sep 25, 2015
4 min read

Welcome back to the A-PUSH! This week's focus of the A-Push is the growing competition between the European powers for the riches and lands available to them in the 'New World." As the European powers expanded into the Western Hemisphere, major changes occurred on economic, political and social structures in Europe due to the Columbian Exchange.

Note: Terms in bold green are specific "Proper Nouns" found in the AP U.S. History Concept Outline. Knowing these terms are critically important.

Exposure to east Asian culture and goods fed the European desire for spices and silks

Marco Polo's voyages to east Asia further exposed Europe to these riches
Mariners, such as Portuguese sailors Da Gama and Dias, search for new routes to reach east Asia, as overland routes were peril with danger, such as the Ottomans controlling Constantinople

European rivalry for exploration and discovery

European leaders desired to take new lands to increase their power and their treasury
Beginning in 1492 with Columbus's voyage and discovery, Spain and Portugal led the world in overseas exploration, and led to military and religious rivalries in Europe and the New World
The defeat of the Spanish Armada by the British navy in 1588 meant that England, too, was an important player in the scramble for colonies and wealth in the New World

Religious rivalry was also part of the process. The Roman Catholic Church, Church of England, and French Jesuit Priests sought converts to Christianity among Native Americans

A vast array of food, mineral wealth, animals, and culture were exchanged between the "Old and New World", dramatically impacting both

To the "Old World": Gold, Silver, Maize, Potatoes, Indian Slaves
To the 'New World': Horses, Pigs, Christianity, Disease
New foods allowed for a more stable population
The flow of mineral wealth to Europe influenced economic systems, and started the end of feudalism and the rise of a merchant class

The desire to build wealth inspired Europe to develop better sailing techniques.

Prince Henry the Navigator, better maps, and sailing techniques

Wealthy entrepreneurs seek new ways to grow wealth by investing in the New World .

After several failed attempts, the Joint Stock Company was developed to share the burden of investment. Spain and Portugal's motives for colonizing differed somewhat from England's. New techniques in farming in England meant that fewer farmers were necessary, and the population of poor people in London was increasing dramatically. Elizabeth I, Queen of England, was not interested just in using British treasury funds to found colonies, but was intrigued with the possibilities of partnerships for profit.
At this time, English law of primogeniture required that only first sons could inherit. Second sons saw an opportunity in the New World, and joint stock companies were born. The Virginia Company was made of up wealthy investors who were responsible for the settlement of Jamestown and Plymouth.

Why would each of the following be interested in a joint stock company?

The monarchy
The poor of London and other large cities in England
Puritans
Wealthy families in England

Answers to these questions may be found in the materials provided or from your prior knowledge and understanding of the period.

"We have seen Indians in immense numbers, and all those on this coast of the Pacific contrive to make a good subsistence on various seeds, and by fishing. The latter they carry on by means of rafts or canoes, made of tule (bullrush) with which they go a great way to sea. They are very civil. All the males, old and young, go naked; the women, however, and the female children, are decently covered from their breasts downward. We found on our journey, as well as in the place where we stopped, that they treated us with as much confidence and good-will as if they had known us all their lives. But when we offered them any of our victuals, they always refused them. All they cared for was cloth, and only for something of this sort would they exchange their fish or whatever else they had. During the whole march we found hares, rabbits, some deer, and a multitude of berendos (a kind of a wild goat)."

" From this port and intended Mission of San Diego, in North California, third July, 1769."

1. As seen in the passage, the California native

a. developed extensive farming techniques of Maize

b. moved frequently due to a lack of food sources

c. lived easily off the bountiful resources that existed in their region

d. had to rely on the missions to provide food for them in this barren region

2. Father Junipero Serra was instrumental in founding a string of missions up the coast of California to

a. stop rival nations from encroaching on Spanish lands.

b. Christianize the native peoples of California

c. develop fortifications to attack the powerful native tribes of the region

d. provide a source of voluntary conversion for the native peoples in the region

*Answers to be posted tomorrow