CHAPTER 1
The Collision of Cultures
TRUE/FALSE
1. By 7000 B.C.E., indigenous peoples in the Americas had begun transitioning into farming societies.
2. Mexica tribes originated in northwest Mexico and were later called the Aztecs by Europeans.
3. Most North American tribal leaders ruled with absolute authority.
4. The pueblo cultures were located primarily in what is today the American Southwest.
5. Cahokians were known for constructing stone dwellings into cliff sides.
6. Ferdinand and Isabella forced Muslims and Jews to either become Christians or leave Spain.
7. Many of the New World’s early explorers were looking for a shorter route around Africa to India.
8. The New World was named for the Portuguese-sponsored explorer Amerigo Vespucci.
9. John Cabot’s landfall in North America gave England the basis for a later claim to all of
North America.
10. Calvinism stressed tolerance and liberal theology rather than a strict moral code.
11. The Church of England was established by gradually integrating Calvinism with English Catholicism.
12. Cortés enlisted the aid of surrounding populations to help in his overthrow of the Aztecs.
13. The brutal and exploitative systems that the Spanish implemented in the New World were largely
the work of Bartolomé de Las Casas.
14. The introduction of Native American foods, such as corn and potatoes, to Europe spurred a
dramatic increase in Europe’s population.
15. The presence of horses transformed the ecology of the Great Plains, such as through the evolution
of some Native American groups into nomadic buffalo hunters.
16. English settlements were numerous and thriving at the time of Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Until recently, scholars had assumed that Paleo-Indians migrated from Asia into North America
a.
in response to the onset of an ice age.
b.
in pursuit of large game animals.
c.
beginning about 1,000 years ago.
d.
in an effort to escape tribal warfare in Asia.
e.
in search of a disease-free environment.
2. Recent archaeological evidence suggests that the prehistoric human migrations from Asia to
the Americas
a.
might have involved the use of boats by some migrants to cross the ocean.
b.
involved the Bering land bridge as the only possible avenue of travel.
c.
required that migrants cross Africa because it had superior conditions.
d.
ultimately resulted in little diversity due to how few migrants managed to make it.
e.
brought migrants to environments that were mostly uniform in terms of terrain and climate.
3. Why were crops such as maize so significant to the evolution of indigenous peoples in the
Americas?
a.
These crops were so similar in different corners of the Americas that they guaranteed that the
societies developed by indigenous peoples would for the most part lack diversity with one another.
b.
These crops grew so well on their own without any help from humans that indigenous peoples
could focus mostly on cultural rather than agricultural activities.
c.
These crops were reliable enough as food sources that indigenous peoples could lead more settled
lives and, thus, become more established, larger societies.
d.
These crops were varied so much in output from year to year that they led most indigenous
societies to increasingly depend on hunting and gathering as the sole food source.
e.
These crops had less nutritional value than indigenous peoples’ prior food sources and, thus, led to
a great decrease in the size of the indigenous population.
4. Around 1500 B.C.E., which group in Middle America (Mesoamerica) began developing large
cities, including gigantic pyramids?
a.
the Aztecs
d.
the Pueblos
b.
the Incas
e.
the Mexica
c.
the Mayas
5. What were some of the defining features of the Inca Empire?
a.
It extended along the Andes Mountains in western South America and featured stone buildings and
irrigated farms.
b.
It spanned much of central Mexico after a migration from northwest Mexico and was dominated by
huts made with adobe.
c.
It was found in the Pacific Northwest and featured large, earthen-floored, cedar-planked houses,
where multiple families lived under one roof.
d.
It was predominantly located in the Great Plains and experienced cold winters and hot summers
west of the Mississippi River.
e.
It was located in the Southwest near what is today Arizona and was comprised of people who spoke
one unified language.
6. The city of Tenochtitlán was founded in 1325 by the
a.
Mayas.
d.
Mexica.
b.
Chibchas.
e.
Anasazis.
c.
Incas.
7. The Aztecs, like most agricultural people of the time, were
a.
among the most advanced example of the Adena-Hopewell culture.
b.
intensely spiritual and worshipped numerous gods.
c.
absorbed as part of the Mayan Empire around 1425.
d.
without a detailed legal system to help regulate society.
e.
a peaceful, nomadic people who avoided warfare.
8. Why was hunting particularly significant for many Native American societies?
a.
It led most indigenous societies only to permit animal sacrifice to the gods rather than human
sacrifice.
b.
It resulted in most indigenous societies developing their own written language to record the trade of
animals and meat.
c.
It promoted frequent large-scale bloodshed in which indigenous warriors destroyed whole villages.
d.
It allowed most indigenous societies to abandon farming as a major source of food.
e.
It helped nurture a warrior ethic among indigenous societies that prized courage in combat.
9. In which of the following ways were the Anasazis different from the Aztecs and Incas?
a.
They lacked a rigid class structure.
b.
They were one of the Eastern Woodlands peoples.
c.
They lived in the Pacific Northwest.
d.
They migrated to the Great Plains upon the arrival of horses in North America.
e.
They were successful in coping with prolonged drought through modern times.
10. Which of the following is characteristic of the Mississippian Indian culture?
a.
elaborate burial mounds and towns built around plazas and temples
b.
cliff dwellings and widespread use of irrigation
c.
matrilineal societies and the spread of the Muskogean language
d.
reliance on the fur trade rather than agriculture
e.
extensive trading activities with Norsemen from Scandinavia
11. Which of the following statements accurately characterizes the Algonquians?
a.
They lived in cave villages dug into mountains and built large pyramids.
b.
Like the Iroquoian people, they spoke the language Iroquoian and spread into upstate New York.
c.
They were nomadic and did not encounter Europeans for many years after their arrival in America.
d.
They built an advanced regional center known as Cahokia and lived in mounds.
e.
They lived in multifamily “longhouses” and were one of three major Eastern Woodlands groups.
12. European exploration of the Americas was greatly assisted by the
a.
continued accessibility of Asian spice trade routes to Europeans.
b.
growing prominence of Muslim strongholds in Spain.
c.
transformation in Europe away from feudal societies.
d.
decentralization of European countries.
e.
decline of European monarchies.
13. Which of the following is true of Portuguese seagoing efforts by 1500?
a.
The Portuguese had few expert sailors and were one of few European nations that had not yet made
it to Asia.
b.
Portuguese seagoing technology enabled them to build early settlements in what is today Canada
and along the northern coastline.
c.
The Portuguese’s use of new sailing technologies, coupled with the unification of Spain contributed
to the rise of global trade.
d.
Portuguese seagoing efforts were so time–consuming that Portuguese monarchs largely ignored
Muslims and Jewish immigration into their nation.
e.
The Portuguese mainly used ships for the purpose of naval warfare against the Spanish, with whom
they had irreconcilable differences.
14. Which were the four most powerful western European nations that emerged during the Age of Exploration?
a.
Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain
b.
Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden
c.
England, France, Germany, and Spain
d.
England, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain
e.
England, France, Portugal, and Spain
15. Which of the following was a result of the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella?
a.
the opening of the Atlantic slave trade
b.
increased Catholic expansionism
c.
the rise of the feudal system in Europe
d.
the security of Granada as a Muslim stronghold
e.
the separation of Spain and Portugal into two nations
16. The first Europeans to sail around Africa and on to India were the
a.
Portuguese.
d.
Italians.
b.
Spaniards.
e.
Irish.
c.
English.
17. What was the relationship between the Age of Exploration and the Renaissance?
a.
The onset of the Age of Exploration and its emphasis on trial and error inspired the earliest ideas of
the Renaissance.
b.
The focus of the Renaissance on religious rather than secular ideas caused the Age of Exploration
to center solely on missionary work.
c.
The Renaissance and Age of Exploration occurred simultaneously, as both marked the end of the
period known as early modernism.
d.
The Renaissance emphasis on humanism, discovery, and scientific innovation helped spark the Age
of Exploration.
e.
Because the Renaissance began in Asia and spread to western Europe, the Age of Exploration
ultimately focused on Asia as well.
18. On his first voyage, Columbus
a.
explored a number of Caribbean islands.
b.
landed on the mainland of North America.
c.
realized he had discovered a new world.
d.
expressed his kind intentions toward the Indians.
e.
ensured that he would be wealthy for life.
19. Columbus succeeded in
a.
finding a water route to Asia.
b.
proving the world was round.
c.
inspiring subsequent European explorations.
d.
bringing the benefits of European civilization to the Indians.
e.
finding rich sources of rubies and diamonds.
20. John Cabot’s crossing of the Atlantic in 1497 resulted in his
a.
sighting of the Pacific.
b.
sailing around the tip of South America.
c.
discovery of a shortcut to China.
d.
exploration of Florida.
e.
making landfall in present-day Canada.
21. What compelled Martin Luther to nail his ninety–five “theses” to the door of a Wittenburg
cathedral, thus launching the Protestant Reformation?
a.
He was angry that the Church refused to allow him to sell indulgences to
other churchgoers.
b.
He wished to combat the Renaissance idea that all Christians could essentially act
as their own priests.
c.
He condemned the greed of the Catholic Church and believed salvation could not
be purchased.
d.
He insisted on holding all religious services in Latin and placing far less emphasis
on the Bible.
e.
He actively sought to bring decades of organized political strife to Europe.
22. Why was the Protestant Reformation significant beyond its religious consequences?
a.
It was a major social movement that managed to spread purely through word of mouth.
b.
It disrupted traditional notions of wealth, class, and monarchical supremacy.
c.
It made the idea of limited government far less likely to take hold in Europe.
d.
It resulted in greater political unity among European nations.
e.
It created a distinctly unified view on theological issues among Protestants in particular.
23. A central element of John Calvin’s theology was his belief in
a.
salvation through good works.
d.
papal infallibility.
b.
predestination.
e.
the basic truth of all religions.
c.
infant baptism.
24. Which of the following statements accurately describes the Protestant Reformation in England?
a.
It occurred more for political reasons than because of disagreement about religious doctrine.
b.
Queen Elizabeth undid it by forcefully reimposing Catholicism.
c.
John Calvin led it as part of his revolt against Catholicism.
d.
It occurred prior to the Reformation in Germany.
e.
It led to the overthrow of Henry VIII because he went against the Church.
25. As monarch, which of the following did Queen Elizabeth do?
a.
She returned England to Catholicism.
b.
She eliminated archbishops and bishops from the Church of England.
c.
She advocated for true religious freedom for her subjects.
d.
She demonstrated incredible strength and effectiveness.
e.
She oversaw a decline in English military and political strength.
26. How, in part, did Hernán Cortés conquer the Aztec Empire?
a.
through his ties with the Incan Empire and the Incas’ superior military might in the Mexico region
b.
through a surprise siege immediately upon his arrival to the city of Tenochtitlán and the city’s lack
of food
c.
through capitalizing on conflict between Native American peoples and Spanish advantages in
military technology
d.
through a naval campaign that remained along the Mexican coast and a military alliance with
French explorers
e.
through the continued aid of Montezuma II and a violent conquest that later Spanish conquistadores
refused to repeat
27. Which of the following statements about the encomienda system is accurate?
a.
It kept the Portuguese out of Mexico.
b.
It allowed privileged Spanish landowners to control Indian villages.
c.
It benefited the Native American populations of Spanish America.
d.
It allowed Mayan and Incan leaders to become very wealthy through the labor
of their people.
e.
It was replicated by the English in their later “New” World colonies.
28. The primary objective of the hundreds of priests in New Spain was to
a.
bless marriages.
d.
serve as government officials.
b.
establish towns.
e.
convert the Native Americans.
c.
educate Spanish colonists.
29. Bartolomé de Las Casas spoke out against
a.
the religious beliefs underpinning Catholicism.
b.
the Spanish conquest of Granada.
c.
the system of native slavery adopted by Spain.
d.
violence shown to Spaniards by Native Americans.
e.
the agricultural impacts of the Columbian Exchange.
30. The Columbian Exchange refers to the
a.
first transaction involving the exchange of enslaved Africans and New World resources.
b.
deal struck between Columbus and the Spanish monarchs to fund his expedition.
c.
global transfer of plants, animals, and diseases, as a result of Europeans landing in the Americas.
d.
division of the Americas between Spain and Portugal as a result of the Treaty of Tordesillas.
e.
establishment of the nation of Colombia in South America as the first permanent European colony.
31. Which of the following foods did Europeans introduce to the “New” World?
a.
beans
d.
squash
b.
corn
e.
wheat
c.
potatoes
32. Food crops exported from the Americas
a.
were far more valuable to Europeans than gold or silver.
b.
enabled a population explosion in Europe.
c.
primarily included the meat of cattle and pigs.
d.
remained outside the Columbian Exchange, as it just included people.
e.
included commodities previously unknown in Europe, like rice and wheat.
33. After the arrival of Europeans, the greatest number of Indians died as a result of
a.
depression.
d.
disease.
b.
starvation.
e.
enslavement.
c.
battle.
34. Which of the following statements accurately describes the significance of diseases such as
smallpox during the Age of Exploration?
a.
It was predominantly European explorers who contracted the diseases of the Native Americans and,
as a result, the Europeans put a halt to expeditions for several years until they built up immunity.
b.
Native American chieftains and religious leaders often proved immune to these diseases and, thus,
maintained a stronger hold over their empires due to their people viewing them as immortal gods.
c.
The diseases led Europeans to put major restrictions on their missionary work in the Americas
because they worried God would use epidemics to punish them for forcing their views on others.
d.
Indigenous peoples, including their rulers, suffered immense fatalities due to the diseases and,
especially with this loss in leadership, proved less able to defend themselves against the Europeans.
e.
Because Europeans and indigenous peoples suffered equally from the diseases transferred through
the Columbian Exchange, Cortés’s conquest of the city of Tenochtitlán was largely a toss–up.
35. Ponce de León was the first European to explore
a.
Mexico.
d.
Virginia.
b.
Florida.
e.
Canada.
c.
Arizona.
36. In 1565, the first permanent European town was established in the current-day United States at
a.
Santa Fe.
d.
Plymouth.
b.
St. Augustine.
e.
San Antonio.
c.
Jamestown.
37. Why did the Spanish settle St. Augustine?
a.
As the French and English had proven far more successful during the early colonial period and had
nearly driven the Spanish off the continent, the Spanish needed a temporary resting place before
returning to Europe.
b.
Because the Spanish government had forbidden intermarriage between the Spanish settlers and
Native Americans, the Spanish needed to build a large settlement to house the great influx of
European women who had since arrived.
c.
Due to their anti-Protestant sentiment as Catholics and their expansionist tendencies, the Spanish
wished to stop the efforts of French Huguenots or Protestants to form a colony in northern Florida.
d.
Due to their eagerness to protect Native Americans along the Gulf Coast from French mistreatment
and to train Native Americans in the Spanish military, the Spanish sought to build a fort equipped
with sophisticated military technology.
e.
Due to fear they would lose trade with Native Americans to the English, the Spanish were eager to
lay claim to the area and forcefully end English attempts to settle the nearby St. Petersburg area.
38. The original Spanish settlement of New Mexico
a.
experienced little missionary activity because Spanish settlers were preoccupied with farming.
b.
was enriched by the discovery of an abundance gold and silver.
c.
rarely came into contact with Native Americans because the Spanish killed them all upon their
arrival
d.
was led by Juan de Oñate who forced Native Americans to pay taxes to Spanish authorities.
e.
relied on hunting rather than crops such as corn because they lacked irrigation networks.
39. By the eighteenth century, mestizos made up a majority of the population in Mexico and New Mexico. Who were
they?
a.
Catholic missionaries and priests who lived among the Aztecs
b.
Native Americans targeted by the Spanish for being particularly polytheistic
c.
the wives of conquistadores who made the voyage from Spain
d.
Spanish and Portuguese ranchers and their families
e.
the offspring of Spanish and Native American parents
40. What was one major impact of the rise of the mestizo population in Mexico and New Mexico?
a.
Colonial officials became exceedingly abusive of mestizos and forced them to perform hard labor
as servants.
b.
The culture of the Native Americans here generally grew far more separate from that of the Spanish
colonists.
c.
It became normalized for European women to take on political roles in the colonies because there
were generally fewer men.
d.
Native Americans generally tried to hide their identity as mestizos from the Spanish because it
would hurt their legal status.
e.
The Spanish grew more inclusive toward the Native Americans than would the English in their own
colonies.
41. In which of the following ways was the Pueblo Revolt significant?
a.
It represented improved relations between Native American and Spanish peoples as they formed an
alliance against the British and promised one another a share in conquered lands.
b.
It made it clear that Europeans would quickly wipe out Native American tribes and cultures from
much of the Southwest, much as they had in a small mission town during the revolt.
c.
It ensured that the Spanish would maintain sole control over the horse trade rather than compete
with Native Americans, for they had successfully stolen or killed their largest herds.
d.
It was the greatest defeat Native Americans ever inflicted on European efforts to conquer the New
World and delayed Spanish efforts to reestablish control over New Mexico.
e.
It was a peaceful revolt led by Indian spiritual leader Popé, who promoted nonviolence toward all
peoples and whose ideas had an unprecedented effect on European culture.
42. The introduction of horses to Plains tribes
a.
unilaterally bettered the lives of their women.
b.
lessened their dependence on bison.
c.
replaced dogs as beasts of burden.
d.
minimally altered the ecology of the Great Plains.
e.
made them less nomadic.
43. Horses became so valuable in North America that they
a.
intensified intertribal competition and warfare.
b.
were exceedingly difficult to purchase.
c.
became the sole responsibility of men.
d.
were rarely used for hunting due to the dangers involved.
e.
were commonly worshipped as gods.
44. Why did the Spanish Empire begin a precipitous decline?
a.
The citizens of the Spanish Empire largely failed to pay taxes, and it never developed a real class
structure.
b.
The Spanish Empire was so lenient toward the Native Americans that various tribes eventually
were able to join forces and conquer it.
c.
Under Queen Elizabeth, England came to control the most colonial outposts and, thus, dominated
the Spanish Empire in terms of trade.
d.
The Spanish Empire became overly dependent on extraction of wealth rather than expand and
stabilize Spanish influence in the New World.
e.
Spain encouraged a vast number of settlers to populate New Spain—far more than the colony could
handle economically.
45. The French captain Jacques Cartier most importantly explored the
a.
Caribbean.
d.
St. Lawrence River.
b.
Mississippi River.
e.
Gulf of Mexico.
c.
Great Lakes.
46. Which European nation fought a war for its independence as part of challenging Spain
in the New World?
a.
England
d.
the Netherlands
b.
France
e.
the Holy Roman Empire
c.
Portugal
47. The Spanish Armada
a.
attempted to invade England.
b.
was a treasure fleet attacked by the English.
c.
was destroyed by a storm before it left Spain.
d.
caused Spain to give up New World colonization as a result of its defeat.
e.
broke English naval power for a century.
48. Major reasons for the defeat of the Spanish Armada included
a.
storms in the North Sea and the speed and agility of English warships.
b.
Elizabeth’s weakness as a ruler and refusal to order her sailors to engage in piracy.
c.
the incompetence of the Spanish captains and resulting mutiny by Spanish sailors.
d.
the greater size of the English vessels and the expansiveness of English colonies in the Americas.
e.
inaccurate Spanish compasses and the fact that the astrolabe had not yet been invented.
49. For which country did Sir Walter Raleigh attempt to establish colonies in the New World?
a.
England
d.
Spain
b.
France
e.
Portugal
c.
Holland
50. The English attempt to establish a colony on Roanoke Island resulted in
a.
a severe blow to Spanish power.
b.
a permanent English presence in North America.
c.
a severe blow to English power.
d.
the execution of Sir Walter Raleigh.
e.
the disappearance of the colonists.
ESSAY
1. Describe the development of Spanish rule over its territory in America.
2. In 1600, which European nation seemed to have the best opportunity at eventually controlling
what is now the United States? Why?
3. What factors help explain the vast differences between the various cultures located across
North and South America?
4. Explain the various factors of the European Renaissance that prompted and promoted the
exploration and settlement of the New World.
5. The title of this chapter is “The Collision of Cultures.” What are the many ways this title can
be applied to the events discussed in this chapter? Consider the early relationship between the
Old World and New World, religious clashes, strife between European groups, conflicts
between Native American groups, and so on.
6. Columbus has become a controversial figure. For what reasons does he deserve praise, and
for what reasons does he deserve criticism?
7. Explain the impact of the Protestant Reformation on the settlement of the Western Hemisphere.
8. Describe how the Columbian Exchange affected the Old and New Worlds. Why did Europe
come out ahead?
9. Discuss the impact of horses on the Great Plains. Be sure to include short-term as well as
long-term consequences.
10. Describe the advances in military technology that gave distinct advantages to Europeans in
the conquest of American natives.
MATCHING
Match each description with the item below.
a.
mimicked the conquest of Mexico and brutally conquered the Inca Empire
b.
was a preacher in Geneva who deepened and broadened the Protestant Reformation
c.
was governor of Puerto Rico and in 1513 made the earliest known expedition of Florida
d.
criticized the widespread sale of indulgences in Germany and taught that “all” are equal before God
e.
was an interpreter of the Mayan and Nahuatl languages for Cortés and bore a child of his
f.
led the first French effort to colonize the Americas before civil wars delayed French exploration
g.
aided the Dutch during the Dutch Revolt and defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588
h.
explored what is now the southeastern United States in 1539 and destroyed Native American
villages
i.
was the exiled god of wind and sky for whom Cortés was mistaken
j.
was a renowned warrior and emperor of the Aztecs who was killed amid Spanish conquest
1. John Calvin
2. Jacques Cartier
3. La Malinche
4. Hernando de Soto
5. Motezuma II
6. Quetzalcoatl
7. Martin Luther
8. Juan Ponce de León
9. Elizabeth I
10. Francisco Pizarro