NM+Chapter+1+Notes

1. The Shaping of North America a. North America’s shape and landscape were formed about 10 million years ago.  i.  Major mountain ranges such as the Rockies and Appalachians were formed by massive glaciers 2 million years ago in the Great Ice Age.  ii. When these glaciers formed, the sea level dropped exposing a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska that allowed the first people who eventually became the Native Americans to migrate to North America. 1. After the glaciers melted the land bridge was covered by the ocean once again. 2. Explorers of New “Worlds” a. Around 1000 AD, Scandinavian sailors discovered Canada and began small colonies that ended up failing from lack of support. b. After the crusades where the Christian Church tried to remove Islam from the Holy Land, Asian goods became very popular.  i.  These were very expensive to ship to Europe so a search for a quicker rout to Asia by going west began. c. After the invention of new boat technology in 1450, sailors were able to sail along the Western coast of Africa.  i.  Europeans ended up finding out about African gold and began purchasing it as well as purchasing slaves. 3. Christopher Columbus Discovers New World a. Funded by the Spanish monarchy, he sailed westward trying to find a route to India and the rest of Asia.  i.  Landed in Bahamas on October 12. 1492. 1. This was a successful failure because it ended up creating a very profitable economic system. 2. Europe had the markets, Africa had the slaves and the New World had the raw materials. <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;">4. Effects of Discovery <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;">a. Ecosystem: fragile, naturally evolved networks among organisms in a stable environment. <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;"> i.  New World crops such as maize, beans, and tobacco changed European diet and helped population growth. <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;"> ii. Old World animals such as horses were introduced changing the cultures of many Native American tribes. <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;">5. Spanish Conquest of New World <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;">a. Beginning in 1500s, Spain began exploring much of Mexico. <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msolist: Ignore;"> i.  By 1743, it controlled Mexico and much of South America.