Early American History

American, Pre-1500

Origins of American Indians

• Traditional View– • Beringian Strait (Begins 12,000 to 40,000 years ago)• Why?• Push & Pull Pressures

Land bridge

Migration South

• How Long?• 500 to 1000 years to get to tip of

South America

• Evidence• DNA, Artifacts (e.g. Clovis &

Folsom Points)

Newer Theories

• Recent theory – SW Europe & Asia by sea (18,000 to 40,000 years ago)

• Finds in PA., VA., & Chile

South America

North America, Pre-1500

North American Indian Tribes -- 1500

Cibola

Ancestral Pueblo Cliff Dwellings

North American Indian Tribes -- 1500

North American Indian Tribes -- 1500

Europe before the Columbus Voyages

Conditions that encouraged exploration:• Renaissance- curiosity – • Marco Polo (1298) – Crusades (1095-1270)• Norse examples- Erik the Red, Leif Eriksson• Vinland (L’Anse aux Meadows) ~1001 CE• International trade and exploration• barriers that made sea path to Asia attractive• Science – navigation (compass & astrolabe)

• Gunpowder and technology• Trade – middle class & corporations

Conditions encouraging European exploration, cont.

Nation-states (resources and needs)• France- Charles VII 1453 (end of 100 Years War)• England- Henry VII 1485 (end of the War of Roses)• Portugal John I fought off Castillians • Spain- Ferdinand of Aragon & Isabella of Castille marry in

1469 and defeat the Muslims at Granada in 1492 (expansionists).

Religious zeal• Muslims & Sephardi Jews in Spain – convert or leave.• Hugenots in France.• Convert the nativesExploration of the Portugese – Prince Henry

• Diaz (Cape of Good Hope)