TO+Chapter+1+Notes

 Chapter 1 Agriculture especially corn growing accounted for the size and sophistication of the Native American Civilization. Cultivation of corn became the foundation crop among America. Women of the many tribes tended the crops while man’s duty was to hunt. Native Americans endowed nature with spiritual properties. No more than 4 million Native Americans filled the forests and lands of North America. The Europeans sent much of their trade through Africa. The Sahara Desert barrier had remained remote and mysterious. The Portuguese promptly set up trading posts among the shore of Africa. They did this for the easy trade of gold. The Portuguese sent the slaves they collected to go work on sugar plantations on the islands. Slave trading became a big business among European nations. In the discovery of the Americas millions of slaves were sent to occupy region. The plantation company of the New World would soon be leading business in America. The Portuguese pushed their way into America and planted their economy there. Portugal moved on to Eastern Asia where jewels and other minerals were found. Spain quickly grew with desire and flourished as a major power. Spain and Portugal became rivals in becoming first to relinquish goods in Eastern Asia. The dawn of the Renaissance grew in many parts of World. 1450 was time period where printed press started speaking of the Scientific Era. Europeans realized the wealth and natural minerals were abundant in America. Spain decided to send the Spanish Conquistadors out to obtain these treasures. They eventually reached the golden cities and found many important resources. When the Spanish entered the Valley of Mexico the sight of the Aztec capital amazed them. At first the Spanish were treated like guests until greed and want for gold persuaded them to take control. Shortly after the Spanish arrival, the spread of smallpox went throughout Mexico. The disease wiped out many civilizations. Present day Mexico consists of modern and old Spanish descendants. Many groups of Mestizos still reside in Mexico today.