04 Aug This chapter concentrates on the contact between Indians and early European explorers and settlers in the Americas.

Chapter 1 A New World

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This chapter concentrates on the contact between Indians and early European explorers and settlers in the Americas. It begins by examining the first Americans—the often quite sophisticated Native American cultures in South and North America before European contact. The next major theme is the European expansion pioneered by the Portuguese and Spanish and propelled by the search for African gold and a direct sea route to Asia. Portuguese contact with African societies, the voyages of Columbus, and the Spanish conquest of Mexico and South America are discussed, with critical analysis of the demographic consequences of those contacts. Other aspects of Spanish colonization—including justifications for conquest, economic matters, and Spanish-Indian relations—are also considered. The Spanish priest Bartolomé de Las Casas gives a damning report of Spanish rule in the New World in “Voices of Freedom.” The Pueblo Revolt, an Indian uprising in New Mexico, is also highlighted in “Voices of Freedom” through the account of a Spanish-speaking Indian. The next section focuses on the French and Dutch empires in North America. The relatively few French who lived in New France (French Canada) consisted mainly of fur traders, indentured servants, and Jesuit missionaries. The French drew Indians into the Atlantic economy and into conflict with European powers. The Dutch, mainly interested in trade, established friendly commercial and diplomatic relations with the Iroquois but conflicted with other Indians over land in New Netherland.

Source 2: file:///Users/sadeer./Downloads/Kellogg%20Colonial%20Mosaic%20(1).pdf

This is a secondary sources that will provide you with a perspective of the Native people of the Americas as a diverse population. Think about how Native Americans are often referred to as one homogeneous group of people. How does the author change that perspective?

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Discussion Questions:

1. Explain 3 ways that the video on the Aztecs helped you better understand the sophisticated society that they had before European contact. Give examples and explain why this knowledge is important.
2. One of the most striking features of Native American societies at the time of the encounter with Europeans was their diversity. Support this statement with several examples. Make sure to use all of the applicable course materials from this module.
3. Why did European settlers believe that they were superior to Native Americans and how did this justify both the conquest of Native lands and terminating their freedom?

Make sure to provide in-text citations for where you got your information. Put your answers in your own words. Thanks!