Course outline for History 2111, United States to 1865
Spain in the New World, 1492- ca. 1550 (Textbook Chapter 3)
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Spain in the New World, 1492- ca. 1550 (Textbook Chapter 3)Central idea: Spain’s explorations of and focus upon Central America, largely due to its precious metals, left the door open in North America for later colonization by other European powers. Legacy for modern America: Today, the American continents south of the Rio Grande are dominated by Hispanic culture, creating ethnic, economic, and political tensions between the United states and regions to its south that remain controversial today. How will this play out? What ends to this dynamic should we seek? Questions to think about:What effects did communication between the Old and New Worlds have on the Americas?Upon Spain’s discovery of the Americas, what goals did it adopt with regard to the New World?Why was Spanish involvement in the New World limited mainly to Central and South America, thus leaving North America open for other European countries?Possible essay questions:Write a history of the Age of Exploration and Spain's exploration and conquest of the New World.Possible short answer/ID questionsThe Columbian exchangeThe ConquistadorsHernán CortésFrancisco PizarroVasco Núñez de BalboaFerdinand MagellanHernando de SotoOld World disease in the New WorldSection outlineThe Columbian exchangeAn exchange of animals, plants, culture, human populations, communicable diseases, technology and ideas between the American and Afro-Eurasian hemispheres in the wake of ColumbusPlants:To New World:Coffee Rice Wheat Oats Sugarcane To Europe:Potatoes Beans Corn Tomatoes Cocoa Caffeine/sugar/rum Although sugarcane came from Europe, The New World became a prime source for it, greatly increasing European sugar consumption by the 1700s Likewise coffee: By late 1700s more than half the world’s coffee was grown in the Caribbean and Latin America Animals to New World:SheepCowsPigsGoatsChickenshorsesDisease:Eurasian immunity developed as a result of animal husbandry, which was practiced to a much lesser extent in the New World before ColumbusThus, New World Populations had no immunity to European diseases, which devastated Indian populationsTyphus Cholera Bubonic Plague Diphtheria Malaria Yellow Fever Smallpox Europeans neither understood nor (for the most part) intended the spread of these diseases among the native populationSome estimates hold that by the mid-1600s, as many as 95% of the Native American population had died in epidemicsThis meant that Native American ability to resist European incursion was severely weakened and thus allowed the transplantation of European populations and culture to the New World Spain in AmericaPrecious metal injectionThe ConquistadorsSpanish adventurers who were motivated byGoldGloryGodHernán Cortés 1519AztecsFrancisco Pizarro 1531IncaContinued search for a western water route to AsiaVasco Núñez de Balboa, Isthmus/Pacific 1513Ferdinand Magellan 1519-22Shows maritime travel from Europe westward to Asia is possible but not practical with 1500s technologyHernando de Soto 1539The first major exploration of North AmericaReveals little in the way of advanced civilizations or precious metalsSpain’s long declineEngland, the New World, and Failed Colonization Attempts, 1485-1604 (Textbook Chapter 4 through page 126)Central idea: Torn by internal political and religious upheavals and threatened by foreign enemies, England was almost a century behind Spain in its serious colonization efforts, but the developments of the 1500s laid the groundwork and provided the motivations for later English colonization. Legacy for modern America: The United States today, while increasingly multicultural, remains heavily English in its language, culture, political and legal systems, and strategic outlook. This grew out of England’s interest in North America in the 1500s. Yet some of the same problems continue: religious and ideological differences still produce conflicts today? How should we deal with them? How far should free exercise of religion extend? Questions to think about:Why did England lag behind Spain in its explorations in the Atlantic and the New World?Why did early English efforts at colonization fail?Possible essay questions:Discuss the Protestant “Reformation” during the 1500s, both generally and with special referenct to England. What effects did it have on English colonization efforts of the 1500s?Write a history of English colonization attempts down to 1600. Why did they take place? Why did they fail?Download 439.57 Kb. Share with your friends:
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