The Americas before Columbus

• 50 million people (?)• No metal technology• No large domesticated animals• Complex trade networks• Complex cultures and civilizations

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?

Aztec Empire

Ancient Tenochtitlan

Fundacion Tenochtitlan

Aztec Warrior Dress in Front of the Shrine of the Virgen de Guadalupe, Mexico City

• Skilled warriors• Weapons from wood,

stone and volcanic glass

• Conquered surrounding people

• Captives sacrificed

Hernan Cortes

• Conquistador• Landed in Mexico in

1519• Conquered Aztecs by

1521• Native allies

– Nahuas– Tlaxcaltec– Totonacs

• Small pox

Moctezuma II

• Aztec Ruler

• Host and Prisoner of the Conquistadores

• Details of his death are disputed

Columbian Exchange: The transfer of living things between the “Old”

and “New” Worlds“Old World” (Europe,

Africa, & Asia)• Horses• Pigs• Cattle• Wheat• Sugar• Small Pox• Measles

“New” World (North and South America)

• Corn• Potato• Tobacco• Beans• Peanut• Turkey