1. The Americas before Columbus
• 50 million people (?)
• No metal technology
• No large domesticated animals
• Complex trade networks
• Complex cultures and civilizations
2. Essential Questions
• How did the first immigrants reach North
America?
• What cultures and civilization flourished in
the Americas prior to European contact?
• What were the positive and negative
effects of European contact?
• Was this a period of contact or conquest?
9. Aztec Warrior Dress in Front of the Shrine of the Virgen de Guadalupe, Mexico City
10. • Skilled warriors
• Weapons from
wood, stone and volcanic
glass
• Conquered surrounding
people
• Captives sacrificed
13. Hernan Cortes
• Conquistador
• Landed in Mexico in
1519
• Conquered Aztecs by
1521
• Native allies
– Nahuas
– Tlaxcaltec
– Totonacs
• Small pox
14. Moctezuma II
• Aztec Ruler
• Host and Prisoner of
the Conquistadores
• Details of his death
are disputed
16. Columbian Exchange: The transfer
of living things between the “Old”
and “New” Worlds
“Old World” “New” World (North and
(Europe, Africa, & South America)
Asia) • Corn
• Horses • Potato
• Pigs • Tobacco
• Cattle • Beans
• Wheat • Peanut
• Sugar • Turkey
• Small Pox
• Measles