HIST 2111 Section 1 Part 2

Summary

This lecture delves into the exploration of colonial America and the Atlantic world, highlighting the impact of the printing press and the Renaissance on collective learning. It discusses the conquests of Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, who overthrew the Aztec and Inca empires, respectively, leading to Spain's wealth and influence through the establishment of a global economy. The script also touches on the explorations of other European powers like France and the establishment of St. Augustine as the first permanent European settlement in North America. It sets the stage for the influence of these events on the development of English colonies.

Takeaways

• 🚢 Christopher Columbus initiated sustained contact between the Old World and the New World, sparking extensive exploration and conquest by Europeans.
• 🗺️ Explorations led to the mapping of previously unknown territories, facilitated by the Renaissance and the invention of the printing press, which enabled mass production of written documents.
• 📖 The printing press, adapted by Johannes Gutenberg for the Latin alphabet, democratized knowledge and allowed for collective learning about the New World.
• 🌐 The term 'New World' is attributed to Amerigo Vespucci, who conceptualized it as a distinct entity, different from the Old World.
• 🏛 The name 'America' originated from a German cartographer, Martin Waldseemüller, who named the newly discovered lands after Amerigo Vespucci.
• 🧭 Early maps, like those by Waldseemüller, depicted the Americas inaccurately due to the ongoing process of exploration and mapping.
• 🦠 European diseases, such as smallpox, had a devastating impact on indigenous populations due to their lack of immunity, aiding in the conquest of empires like the Aztecs by Hernán Cortés.
• 🏰 The conquest of the Aztec and Inca empires by Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, respectively, resulted in vast wealth for Spain from gold and silver.
• 🌐 Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe and the acquisition of American silver allowed Spain to engage in global trade, especially with China.
• 🏰 The wealth from the New World influenced other European powers, like England and France, to seek similar opportunities in the Americas.
• 🇫🇷 French explorer Jacques Cartier claimed the Canadas for France, establishing New France, focusing on the fur trade rather than finding precious metals.

Q & A

Who is credited with the establishment of sustained contact between the Old World and the New World?

Christopher Columbus is credited with the establishment of sustained contact between the Old World and the New World.

What significant invention from China played a crucial role in the European Renaissance and the spread of knowledge about the New World?

The printing press, originally an Eastern invention from China, played a crucial role in the European Renaissance and the spread of knowledge about the New World after it was adapted for use with the Latin alphabet by Johannes Gutenberg.

What term did Amerigo Vespucci coin to describe the newly discovered lands?

Amerigo Vespucci coined the term 'New World' to describe the lands that were newly discovered by Europeans.

Why were the names 'America' and 'Columbia' once interchangeable when referring to the New World?

The names 'America' and 'Columbia' were once interchangeable because they both referred to the New World, with 'America' coming from Amerigo Vespucci and 'Columbia' being associated with Christopher Columbus.

Who was the first conquistador mentioned in the script known for conquering a major civilization in the New World?

Hernán Cortés was the first conquistador mentioned in the script, known for conquering the Aztec civilization in the New World.

What factors contributed to Cortés' success in conquering the Aztecs?

Factors contributing to Cortés' success included having European diseases like smallpox which devastated the Aztecs, having Indian allies who were previously conquered by the Aztecs, and possessing advanced weaponry and armor.

What was the significance of the silver found in the Inca Empire for the Spanish Empire?

The silver found in the Inca Empire was significant for the Spanish Empire as it made Spain very wealthy, allowed them to access the Chinese market, and contributed to the creation of the first global economy.

Who was the first person to circumnavigate the globe, and what was his contribution to the Spanish Empire?

Ferdinand Magellan was the first person to circumnavigate the globe. His contribution to the Spanish Empire was charting a path to sail around the world, which allowed Spain to establish a global presence.

What was the purpose of the mission system established by the Spanish in the Americas?

The purpose of the mission system was to convert indigenous people to Catholicism and exploit their labor, primarily in areas where Spanish plantations were built.

What was the first permanent European city in North America, and when was it established?

St. Augustine was the first permanent European city in North America, established in 1565.

What was the primary source of wealth for the French in North America, and how did it differ from the Spanish approach?

The primary source of wealth for the French in North America was the fur trade, which differed from the Spanish approach of focusing on gold and silver from the Aztec and Inca Empires.