AP US History Study Guide: Period 1 - 1491 to 1607

Summary

This AP US History study guide explores the period 1491-1607, focusing on contact, commerce, and competing philosophies. It discusses the impact of European arrival on Native American cultures, the Columbian Exchange's influence on global dynamics, and the long-term effects on both the Old and New Worlds. The guide also covers the importance of interpreting historical documents and visuals, and provides strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions on the AP exam.

Takeaways

• 📚 The AP US History study guide covers the period from 1491 to 1607, focusing on three main themes: contact, commerce, and competing philosophies.
• 🌍 The theme of 'contact' involves the significant changes that occurred in North America due to the arrival of Europeans and the interaction between different cultures.
• 🏞️ The pre-Columbian Native American societies had complex social, political, and economic structures deeply connected with the environment and each other.
• 🔍 Supplemental study guides and visuals, such as the Seoan and Algonquin Village in 1585, help to understand the complexity of these societies.
• 🛒 The 'commerce' theme highlights the Columbian Exchange, which was a major exchange of goods, animals, and ideas between the Old and New Worlds.
• 🌾 The introduction of new crops like corn and potatoes from the New World had a profound impact on population growth and economies in Europe and Africa.
• 🐎 The arrival of animals like the horse changed the lifestyles of Native American groups, allowing them to maintain their societies more effectively.
• 🤒 The exchange also led to the spread of diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza, which had devastating effects on populations that had no immunity.
• 💡 The 'competing philosophies' theme deals with the cultural conflicts and the impact of different European doctrines and writings on indigenous peoples.
• 🏛️ The Doctrine of Discovery and writings of Bartolomé de Las Casas are key to understanding the moral and legal justifications for European expansion.
• 🌐 The period saw European nations vying for influence and control over new territories, leading to significant cultural and religious changes.
• ⏳ The study guide emphasizes the importance of interpreting information from various sources, such as graphs, maps, and timelines, for the AP US History exam.

Q & A

What is the time period covered by the AP US History Study Guide, Period 1?

The AP US History Study Guide, Period 1 covers the time period from 1491 to 1607.

What are the three main themes covered in the first period of the AP US History Study Guide?

The three main themes covered are contact, commerce, and competing philosophies.

How did the arrival of Europeans impact the native populations in North America before the arrival of Columbus?

Before Columbus, native populations in North America developed a wide variety of social, political, and economic structures based on interactions with the environment and each other.

What is the significance of the term 'Columbian Exchange' in the context of the AP US History Study Guide?

The 'Columbian Exchange' refers to the series of interactions and adaptations among societies across the Atlantic following European overseas expansion, which led to the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between the Old and New Worlds.

What were some of the long-spanning impacts of the Columbian Exchange on the New World and the Americas?

The Columbian Exchange created a biological marketplace, revolutionizing life in both Europe and the New World through the exchange of goods, wildlife, plants, and more, leading to significant changes in flora, fauna, and population dynamics.

What role did the horse play in the lifestyles of Pueblo and Plains Indians after the arrival of Europeans?

The arrival of the horse allowed Pueblo and Plains Indians to survive as cohesive groups longer, changing their lifestyles significantly.

Which crops, originating from the New World, had a significant impact on European and African societies?

Crops like corn and potatoes, originating from the New World, had a significant impact on European and African societies, contributing to massive population growth and dependency.

What were some of the diseases that moved predominantly from the Old World to the New World after the arrival of Columbus?

Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza moved predominantly from the Old World to the New World, having a devastating impact on populations that had no immunity to these diseases.

What is the significance of the 'Doctrine of Discovery' and the writings of Bartolomé de Las Casas in the context of the first period of AP US History?

The 'Doctrine of Discovery' and the writings of Bartolomé de Las Casas are significant as they represent the competing philosophies and debates over the motives of European discoverers and the impact of their actions on indigenous peoples.

How did the religious Reformation and the treatment of native peoples influence the actions of European empires in the New World?

The religious Reformation and the treatment of native peoples influenced European empires to contest not only for material wealth but also for the souls of those living in the New World, leading to the need for new labor systems and the eventual rise of the slave trade.

What is the structure and importance of the multiple-choice section in the AP US History exam?

The multiple-choice section consists of 55 questions to be answered in 55 minutes and accounts for 40% of the overall grade. It tests interpretation of ideas, geography, timelines, and other skills beyond rote memorization of facts.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Introduction to AP US History Period 1

The video script introduces the AP US History study guide for Period 1, covering the years 1491 to 1607. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the three main themes of this period: contact, commerce, and competing philosophies. The guide aims to enhance students' skills whether they are currently enrolled in the course, reviewing for the exam, or preparing for the next academic year. The video encourages viewers to explore additional resources on the AP Gilder Lehrman Institute website, including documents, lectures, and interactive timelines. The script also highlights the significance of the pre-Columbian Native American societies, which were complex and environmentally interactive, and the profound changes brought about by European contact. It suggests using visual references and documents to deepen the understanding of these societies and the impact of the Columbian Exchange.

05:01

🚀 The Impact of European Expansion and the Columbian Exchange

This paragraph delves into the consequences of European overseas expansion and the Columbian Exchange, which led to significant interactions and adaptations among societies across the Atlantic. The script discusses the introduction of new goods, ideas, and the resulting changes in the global dynamic. It also touches on the biological marketplace created between the New and Old Worlds, with the exchange of wildlife, plants, and other commodities that revolutionized life in both Europe and the Americas. The paragraph further explores the impact of diseases like smallpox and measles, which were brought from the Old World and had devastating effects on the indigenous populations, often leading to population declines of up to 80%. The discussion also includes the effects of the introduction of new crops like corn and potatoes, which spurred population growth and dependency in Europe and Africa.

🏛️ Competing Philosophies and the Struggle for Influence

The final paragraph of the script addresses the theme of competing philosophies, focusing on the conflicts that arose when different cultures met. It discusses the European campaigns to explore and conquer new territories, driven not only by material wealth but also by religious motivations during the Reformation. The paragraph highlights the contest between Protestants and Catholics for the souls of the inhabitants of the New World and the ethical questions raised by the treatment of native peoples and the institution of slavery. The script suggests examining key documents such as the Doctrine of Discovery and the writings of Bartolomé de las Casas to understand the debates and impacts of European actions on indigenous peoples. It concludes with a brief overview of the skills focus for the AP US History exam, particularly the multiple-choice questions, and offers strategies for interpreting and answering them effectively.

Keywords

💡APUS History Study Guide

The APUS History Study Guide is an educational resource designed to prepare students for the AP US History exam. It covers various periods and themes in American history, with the provided script focusing on the first period from 1491 to 1607. The guide includes documents, lectures, interactive timelines, and videos to enhance students' understanding of historical events and themes.

💡Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492. It had profound effects on both continents, revolutionizing agriculture, diets, and societies. In the script, it is mentioned as a key concept for understanding the interactions and adaptations among societies across the Atlantic.

💡Pre-Columbian Societies

Pre-Columbian societies were the complex and diverse cultures that existed in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans. They had their own social, political, and economic structures, often deeply connected to the environment. The script emphasizes the importance of understanding these societies' sophistication and their interactions with each other and the environment before the European contact.

💡Contact

In the context of the video script, 'contact' refers to the initial encounters between Europeans and the native populations of the Americas. This contact marked a significant turning point, altering the course of history for both the Old and New Worlds. It is a central theme in understanding the period from 1491 to 1607.

💡Commerce

Commerce in the script is associated with the trade and exchange of goods that occurred as a result of European overseas expansion. The theme of commerce is integral to understanding the economic impacts of the Columbian Exchange and the introduction of new goods, ideas, and practices that changed the global dynamic.

💡Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples are the first inhabitants of a particular region, in this case, the Americas. The script discusses the impact of European contact on these populations, including the devastating effects of introduced diseases and the changes to their societies and cultures.

💡Doctrine of Discovery

The Doctrine of Discovery is a principle of international law that was used to justify European exploration and colonization of non-European territories. The script refers to this doctrine as a key concept for understanding the legal and philosophical justifications for European expansion and its impact on indigenous peoples.

💡Bartolomé de las Casas

Bartolomé de las Casas was a Spanish Dominican friar who advocated for the rights of indigenous peoples in the Americas. His writings, mentioned in the script, are important for understanding the debate on the motives of European discoverers and the treatment of indigenous peoples.

💡Jamestown

Jamestown is the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, founded in 1607. It represents a significant milestone in the establishment of European colonies in the New World and is used in the script to mark the end of the period under discussion.

💡Multiple Choice Questions

In the context of the AP US History exam, multiple choice questions are a section of the test that requires students to demonstrate their understanding and interpretation of historical concepts, not just factual knowledge. The script provides an example of how to approach these questions, emphasizing the importance of interpreting data and patterns, such as population graphs.

💡Interpretation

Interpretation in the script refers to the analytical skill required to understand and draw conclusions from historical data, documents, and visuals. It is a key skill for answering multiple choice questions on the AP US History exam, as it involves more than just memorization of facts.

Highlights

The AP US History study guide covers period 1, from 1491 to 1607, focusing on the themes of contact, commerce, and competing philosophies.

The guide offers resources for students preparing for the AP exam, including documents, lectures, and interactive timelines.

Pre-Columbian Native American societies were complex and varied, with social structures influenced by their environment and interactions with each other.

The arrival of Europeans marked a significant shift in the New World, impacting the lives of indigenous peoples and their societies.

The Colombian Exchange introduced a multitude of goods and ideas between the Old and New Worlds, altering the global dynamic.

Columbus's landing in the Caribbean initiated large-scale interactions and exchanges between Europe and the Americas.

The introduction of new crops from the Americas had profound effects on population growth and dependency in Europe and Africa.

The slave trade brought five times as many Africans to the New World as Europeans before 1820, significantly impacting the demographic landscape.

Diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza, predominantly from the Old World, had devastating effects on indigenous populations.

The theme of competing philosophies highlights the potential for conflict when different cultures meet and the challenges they face.

The Doctrine of Discovery and the writings of Bartolomé de las Casas are key to understanding the impact of European actions on indigenous peoples.

European nations competed for influence in the New World, leading to the exploration and colonization of uncharted territories.

Religious Reformation and the contest between Protestants and Catholics played a significant role in the colonization of the New World.

The AP US History exam requires interpretation of ideas and materials, not just rote memorization of facts.

Multiple-choice questions on the exam test students' ability to interpret graphs, timelines, and other visual materials.

Students are encouraged to answer all multiple-choice questions, even if uncertain, as it is worth attempting for partial credit.

The guide provides sample questions and strategies for interpreting data and eliminating implausible answer choices.

Transcripts

welcome to the apus history study guide

period 1

1491 to

1607 this online guide will enhance your

skills whether you're taking the course

this year reviewing for the exam or

getting a head start on next year's

course watch this video then check out

ap. gilderman dorg for documents

lectures interactive timelines videos

and a whole lot more thanks from the

Gilder lurman

Institute our first period will cover

three main themes contact Commerce and

competing philosophies this initial

period covers the time period from 1491

to 16007 from before Columbus's arrival

to the founding of Jamestown but let's

start with the theme of contact before

the arrival of Europeans native

populations in North America developed a

wide variety of social political and

economic structures based in part on

interactions with the environment and

each other for both peoples contact

changed absolutely

everything you must keep in mind that

before Columbus discovered the new world

it was peopled by hundreds of varied and

sophisticated cultures these

pre-colombian Native American societies

were composed of complex structures and

operated with a focus on their

interaction with the environment and a

society stratified based on the

capabilities of the people involved when

thinking about these societies you can

dig deeper by looking at the documents

in the supplemental study guide

including seoan and Algonquin Village in

1585

this image will give you a visual

reference for any question or written

piece you may be asked to write for

different sections of the exam remember

evidence from detailed visuals can be

equally as important as written

documents for this era you should also

consider referencing the Aztec city of

teot wakan or modern-day Mexico City or

the many complex attributes of the

Southwest Pueblo civilizations once

you've established an understanding of

the complex nature of pre-colombian

society we come to the second key

concept of the AP US History exam and

that would be the theme of Commerce

let's start this discussion by

remembering that European overseas

expansion resulted in the Colombian

Exchange which was a series of

interactions and adaptations among

societies across the Atlantic with this

exchange we can identify a multitude of

goods and an equal number of bads okay

so once the door was open we have

Columbus Landing taking in the intense

differences between Europe and the new

world the idea and want for riches in

gold and the barriers and opportunities

that were presented by both go deeper

into this and check out the landing of

Columbus in 14 92 and Columbus reports

on his first voyage in 1493 to read

firsthand accounts of his entry into

Hispanola read about the sites the

smells the astonishment of Columbus and

his crew as they met this positively

different New World Columbus's arrival

in the Caribbean marked the beginning of

the first large-scale interaction and

exchange between nations Europe and the

Americas were flooded with new Goods

ideas and riches that promised to change

the global Dynamic forever so this

brings about a great deal of potential

issues but the real question is this

what were the long- spanding impacts of

this era of contact on both the new

world and the Americas the Colombian

Exchange literally created a biological

Marketplace between the New and Old

Worlds this interchange of goods

Wildlife plants and more revolutionized

almost every aspect of life or death for

people in both Europe and the new

world people a vast preponderance of

people came from the old world to the

new world only handfuls of people went

from the new world to the old about four

fths of people brought to the new world

between 1492 and 1820 were from Africa

and they were

enslaved animals Europeans brought the

animals to recreate their lives this had

a massive effect on the Flora and Fauna

of the new world the arrival of the

horse also changed lifestyles of pompus

and Plains Indians allowing them to

survive as cohesive groups

longer plants 3/4 of today's Foods grown

for crops originate in the new world

corn and potatoes had especially big

effects on European and African

societies spurring massive population

growth and dependency as in Ireland

which led to a famine after a potato

blight cash crops or desirable

Commodities in the new world began to

sustain the system examples of this

would be tobacco vanilla chocolate and

cotton microbes disease predominantly

move from the old world to the new some

examples would be small pox measles and

influenza consider the immense impact of

this on people never having any contact

with these kinds of ailments pre-con

population numbers are debated but death

tolls at this point reached 80% in many

areas this brings us to our third key

concept dealing with the theme of

competing philosophies this final

concept of the first period deals

directly with how when different

cultures meet there is potential for

immense conflict people were faced with

changes whether they were ready for it

or not make sure you look closely at

both the doctrine of Discovery from 1493

and the writings of barom De Lascassas

in 1550 as he openly debated the motives

of European discoverers and the impact

of their actions on the indigenous

peoples upon on their arrival regardless

of whose ideas won out the end of this

period marked a time in Europe where

many nations from Little Holland to

powerful Spain began campaigns to March

into new previously Uncharted

territories in an attempt to spread

their influence as a final thought you

must remember it wasn't just for the

material wealth of the new world that

Empires contested religious Reformation

played out as Protestants and Catholics

contested for The Souls of those living

in the new world and as Europeans began

to question the treatment of native

peoples under their colonial labor

systems new work needed to be found the

slave trade would eventually bring five

times as many Africans as Europeans to

the New World before

1820 this brings us to our first skills

Focus for this section we're taking a

look at the multiple choice questions

you'll have 55 minutes to answer 55

questions this section will amount to

40% of your overall grade so answering

all questions even if you're not sure is

a good payoff AP multiple choice

questions are about a lot more than

straight factual knowledge you're not

going to be asked to pick between the

four dates of the mayow compact or the

correct spelling of the 14th US

president is Pierce iie is Pierce EI

that's not really important right now

it's more about your interpretation of

the ideas presented looking at a map and

reasoning out the answer using geography

and map skills examining a timeline and

drawing a conclusion or interpreting a

political cartoon or a painting the

questions will be drawn from all nine

time periods and for each you'll be

asked a series of questions I've got a

sample question that we'll review it

starts with a graph that focuses on

population increase or decline over a

period of time the question reads as

follows the pattern on the graph from

1630 to 1750 reflects which of the

following a conflicts with Native

Americans b a growing dependence on

indentured servants until 1700 when

slavery increased significantly C the

English tradition of primogeniture

resulted in an influx of migration or D

the exclusive dependence on African

slavery to answer this question

appropriately we'll go through Two Steps

step one

look closely at the graph provided pay

attention to the labels on the axes and

the numbers that Mark both population

and years this is the information you'll

need to interpret and understand to

answer the question correctly also it is

essential that you pay close attention

to the key at the bottom so you know

what the graph's data is showing a

measure of in this case we were looking

at population in the thousands span of

years in question and types of people

arriving in the new world step two read

the questions carefully this one is

about identifying patterns on a graph

identify key language that relates to

the information on the graph this would

be whites Indians and Africans identify

where the information begins to match up

white and black population show some

similarities and finally eliminate

implausible answer choices for C there'd

have to be an impossible number of

firstborn Englishmen coming to the new

world for this to be true for D the word

exclusive cuts out all aspects of white

indentured servitude which was still a

reality during the time period shown on

the graph this brings us to the correct

answer which is B though the drop in

Native American population could have

resulted from extensive conflicts with

colonists of different European nations

the graph shows more substantial support

for the comparison between increasing

numbers of white Europeans matched up

with a sharp increase of African slaves

around 1700 most questions will require

this kind of interpretation not just a

rote memorization of apus history facts

keep your eye on the time and remember

it is worth your while to answer all of

the questions you can get more practice

with the supporting materials and

documents attached to the apus history

study guide on the Gilder lman website