US History AP Chap 1 Vocab & Questions

Why did the large urban societies of early North America, like the Anasazi and Cahokia, fall?

These large urban societies fell because their culture was almost completely reliant on farming and they were not advanced enough to be able to handle climate changes, such as droughts, which is the most likely cause of their existence to disappear.

What were the costs and benefits associated with the Chinese voyages of exploration in the early 1400s?

The Chinese sailed with a high cost, entire forests were depleated to build ships, and many men who sailed never returned. These voyages also pulled everyone so much that they neglected their vulnerable land in the North West. The benefits from these voyages were the maps that were created, trade goods, and exotic animals.

Mound Builders

a name given to Native American tribes that built large burial and ceremonial mounds on which religious an sports activities took place

Black Death

the bubonic plague that devastated Europe in the 10300s, reducing the population by as much as half

Reconquista

the long struggle (ending in 1492), during which Spanish Christians reconquered the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim occupiers, who first invaded in the 8th century

Bering Land Bridge

the name given to the land that connected Alaska and Siberia thousands of years ago, which is now under the current Being Sea

Clovis People

the name of early residents of North America whose spear points were found near what is now Clovis, New Mexico, in 1929

What were the results of the cessation of Chinese exploration?

This was seen as a drain of China's wealth, this also meant that China would not be participating on the exploration of the Americas.

Describe the emergence of the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay in West Africa. What factors enabled these empires to flourish?

Ghana had lucrative trade that exchanged slaves, gold, and ivory. Mali converted to Islam and eventually established the Islamic university at Timbuktu. Songhay had the strongest military and economic power. All of these empires flourished because of the trade.

Who were the Anasazi, and what was distinctive about their society?

The Anasazi were people who lived in present day Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico approximately 700 years before Columbus. The Anasazi were farmers and grew what they needed to feed the community. They also built a city out of logs and adobe, the city included many pueblos. The roads that ran through the city allowed for trade in many directions and many valuable goods were traded, possibly even as far as central Mexico.

Describe the key features of Aztec, Maya, and Incan civilization. How were they alike, and how were they different?

The Aztecs had a warlike civilization, they used their captured enemies for human sacrifice. The Maya were known for their calendar and written language. These civilizations along with the Incan were all south of the border of what is now the United States.

Describe the early attempts by the Portuguese to find new trade routes to Asia. Why did they lead the way in exploration?

The Portuguese wanted to find a sea route to Asia by going around Africa. They were eventually successful and established many trading colonies, the trading flourished not only between Asia and Europe but Africa was included in this trade.

What were the earliest forays by Europeans into the Americas? Why were these early activities largely forgotten by the time of Columbus?

The Vikings sailed across the Atlantic many years before Columbus. The Viking civilization had vanished which caused the knowledge of their existence in the Americas to vanish.

How did the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans reshape European life and spark economic changes?

The capture of Constantinople hindered the trade between Europe and Asia. Trade was only allowed within Ottoman territory which caused all land and sea routes through this territory to be cut off from Europe.

What is Clovis culture, an why has its existence as the earliest settlement been challenged?

The clovis culture seemed to be one that was centered around huning considering the many spear points that have been found in and around Clovis, New Mexico. The clovios culture has been challenged as being the oldest civilization because of recent archaeological discoveries of spear points n Texas that are much older and not as sophicated as those found a Clovis

Why were Europeans unable to penetrate into the interior of Africa for so long?

The interior of Africa was not a location easily accessible by tradition military means because of the skilled maneuvering of the people of West Africa in their canoes.

Anasazi

meaning "ancient ones," lived in modern day New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado some 700 years before Columbus