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 The guide also covers the importance of interpreting historical documents and visuals, and provides strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions on the AP exam.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.