Preview Extract
Chapter One
New World Encounters
Multiple Choice
1. The most significant factor that led large numbers of nomadic hunters to enter the heart of
North America was ________.
A) the domestication of horses
B) global warming
C) population growth
D) rising water levels
E) a mass extinction of large mammals in Europe
Answer: B
Rationale:
Global warming during the end of the last Ice Age around 11,000 years ago led to the melting
of ice sheets, which created more hospitable conditions in North America, including the
growth of grasslands and the expansion of forests. This environmental change provided
abundant resources for nomadic hunters, encouraging them to migrate into the heart of North
America.
2. Which of the following revolutionized early Native American cultures?
A) the discovery of hunting
B) the development of agriculture
C) tribal political alliances
D) the emergence of a written language
E) the domestication of the horse
Answer: B
Rationale:
The development of agriculture revolutionized early Native American cultures by allowing
societies to transition from nomadic hunting and gathering to settled farming. This transition
led to the establishment of permanent settlements, the growth of population centers, and the
development of complex social structures.
3. The people who occupied the valley of Mexico when the Spanish arrived were the
________.
A) Mayas
B) Apaches
C) Aztecs
D) Incas
E) Toltecs
Answer: C
Rationale:
The people who occupied the valley of Mexico when the Spanish arrived were the Aztecs.
The Aztec Empire, also known as the Mexica Empire, was a Mesoamerican civilization that
flourished in central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries.
4. The Atlantic tribal group with whom the English had the most contact were ________.
A) Algonquian speakers
B) Mayan
C) Apache
D) Sioux
E) Cherokee
Answer: A
Rationale:
The Atlantic tribal group with whom the English had the most contact were the Algonquian
speakers. These tribes inhabited the coastal regions of what is now the eastern United States
and Canada, including areas such as Virginia and New England, where English settlements
were established.
5. What Indians desired most, upon encountering Europeans, was ________.
A) cultural enlightenment
B) victims for human sacrifice rituals
C) religious instruction
D) allies to help them defeat their enemies
E) commercial relations
Answer: E
Rationale:
Upon encountering Europeans, what Native Americans desired most was commercial
relations. They were interested in trading goods such as furs, foodstuffs, and other resources
with the Europeans in exchange for items like metal tools, firearms, and textiles.
6. The single greatest factor that caused the destruction of Native Americans after contact
with Europeans was ________.
A) warfare
B) planned genocide
C) disease
D) loss of farmland
E) enslavement
Answer: C
Rationale:
The single greatest factor that caused the destruction of Native Americans after contact with
Europeans was disease. Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza, to which Native
Americans had no immunity, spread rapidly through indigenous populations, resulting in
devastating population declines.
7. In the Columbian Exchange, the Old World and the New exchanged ________.
A) animal, plant, and microbial life forms
B) technologies
C) religious beliefs
D) political systems
E) trade goods
Answer: A
Rationale:
In the Columbian Exchange, the Old World and the New World exchanged animal, plant, and
microbial life forms. This exchange had profound ecological, economic, and social effects on
both hemispheres.
8. The first European nation to establish contact with sub-Saharan Africa was ________.
A) France
B) Italy
C) the Netherlands
D) Portugal
E) Spain
Answer: D
Rationale:
The first European nation to establish contact with sub-Saharan Africa was Portugal.
Portuguese explorers, such as Henry the Navigator, initiated exploration along the West
African coast in the 15th century, seeking a sea route to Asia and access to valuable
commodities like gold and spices.
9. The Portuguese explored West Africa searching for ________.
A) lands to settle
B) spices and timber
C) converts to Christianity
D) slaves and gold
E) land for a convict colony
Answer: D
Rationale:
The Portuguese explored West Africa searching for slaves and gold. They established trading
posts along the African coast to facilitate the transatlantic slave trade and to acquire gold,
which was highly valued in Europe.
10. Columbus was originally determined to prove that ________.
A) a westward water route to China existed
B) the world was not flat
C) the continents of North and South America existed
D) the lost continent of Atlantis was actually part of South America
E) the world was smaller than scientists believed at the time
Answer: A
Rationale:
Columbus was originally determined to prove that a westward water route to China existed.
He believed that by sailing west across the Atlantic, he could reach Asia and establish
lucrative trade routes for spices and other goods, bypassing the overland routes controlled by
Muslim powers.
11. At the time of Columbus’s first voyage in 1492, ________.
A) most educated Europeans believed the earth was flat
B) no European nation had any interest in exploration
C) most educated Europeans knew the world was round
D) no one thought he would find anything
E) the Catholic Church condemned this kind of exploration
Answer: C
Rationale:
At the time of Columbus's first voyage in 1492, most educated Europeans knew the world
was round. Contrary to the popular myth that Columbus's contemporaries believed the Earth
was flat, educated Europeans had known since ancient times that the Earth was spherical.
12. The Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494 resulted in ________.
A) war between Spain and Portugal
B) Portuguese control of what would become Brazil
C) English control of what is now Canada
D) French control of Martinique
E) the withdrawal of the Spanish from the New World
Answer: B
Rationale:
The Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494 resulted in Portuguese control of what would become
Brazil. This treaty between Spain and Portugal aimed to resolve conflicts over newly
discovered lands by establishing a dividing line in the Atlantic Ocean, with Portugal gaining
control over territories to the east of the line, including Brazil.
13. The men largely responsible for Spain’s conquest of the New World were known as
________.
A) conquistadores
B) coureurs de bois
C) “Sea Dogs”
D) pirates
E) encomenderos
Answer: A
Rationale:
The men largely responsible for Spain’s conquest of the New World were known as
conquistadores. These Spanish explorers and soldiers played a significant role in the
exploration, conquest, and colonization of the Americas during the Age of Discovery.
14. In order to better control the conquistadors in the New World, the Spanish government
created ________.
A) the Inquisition
B) the hacienda
C) the encomienda
D) the missions
E) colonial governments
Answer: C
Rationale:
In order to better control the conquistadors in the New World, the Spanish government
created the encomienda system. This system granted conquistadors the right to extract labor
and tribute from Native American communities in exchange for providing them with
protection and Christian instruction.
15. Before his attacks on the Aztecs, Hernán Cortés was ________.
A) an accomplished ship captain
B) a civil servant in Cuba
C) a wealthy aristocrat
D) a seasoned diplomat
E) unconcerned about his public image
Answer: B
Rationale:
Before his attacks on the Aztecs, Hernán Cortés was a civil servant in Cuba. He held
positions of authority and responsibility, including being appointed as the clerk to the
treasurer of the island of Hispaniola.
16. From its beginnings, Spain regarded her New World domain as primarily a(n) ________.
A) provider of gold and silver
B) place to send exiled Moors and Jews
C) opportunity to further promote the Catholic faith
D) source of cheap Native American labor to be used on Spanish estates
E) place to establish penal colonies
Answer: A
Rationale:
From its beginnings, Spain regarded her New World domain as primarily a provider of gold
and silver. The Spanish Empire exploited the vast mineral wealth of the Americas,
particularly in regions such as Mexico and Peru, to enrich the Spanish crown and finance its
imperial ambitions.
17. Most Spanish colonists were ________.
A) members of wealthy families
B) more racially tolerant than their English counterparts
C) unconcerned about economic opportunities
D) unwilling to have contact with native groups
E) unusually racist for their time
Answer: B
Rationale:
Most Spanish colonists were more racially tolerant than their English counterparts. Spanish
colonial society was characterized by a more fluid racial hierarchy, with greater intermingling
between Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans compared to the rigid racial divisions in
English colonies.
18. The first French explorers were ________.
A) interested in finding the mythical “northwest passage” to China
B) determined to find gold and silver
C) eager to Christianize the Native Americans
D) ruthless and exploitive of the native peoples
E) considered stupid by the Native Americans
Answer: A
Rationale:
The first French explorers were interested in finding the mythical "northwest passage" to
China. They hoped to discover a sea route through North America that would provide a direct
passage to Asia and its lucrative spice trade, bypassing the need to navigate around the
southern tip of South America.
19. In their relations with the Native Americans, the French ________.
A) were as interested in Christian conversion as the Spanish
B) cultivated close cooperation in order to sustain their fur trade
C) were ruthless in their treatment of the Native Americans
D) drove Indians from their lands in order to set up plantations
E) were at a distinct disadvantage
Answer: B
Rationale:
In their relations with the Native Americans, the French cultivated close cooperation in order
to sustain their fur trade. Unlike the Spanish, who often sought to extract tribute and labor
from indigenous peoples through systems like the encomienda, the French established
mutually beneficial trading relationships with Native American tribes based on the exchange
of European goods for furs.
20. The financial success of the French empire in North America depended upon the
________.
A) fur trade
B) complete annihilation of the Native American tribes in Canada
C) discovery of huge amounts of gold
D) establishment of plantations
E) withdrawal of the Spanish
Answer: A
Rationale:
The financial success of the French empire in North America depended upon the fur trade.
Fur trapping and trading, particularly of beaver pelts, formed the economic foundation of
French colonial enterprises in regions such as Canada, providing significant revenue for the
French crown and colonial entrepreneurs.
21. Which of the following was NOT a feature of the French experience in the New World?
A) the fur trade
B) Samuel de Champlain
C) encomiendas
D) coureurs de bois
E) lack of royal support for colonizing efforts
Answer: C
Rationale:
Encomiendas were a feature of Spanish, not French, colonization in the New World.
Encomiendas were land grants given by the Spanish crown to conquistadors, allowing them
to extract tribute and labor from Native American communities.
22. What sixteenth-century European upheaval had a profound impact upon England’s
settlement of the New World?
A) the Crusades
B) the War of the Roses
C) the Reformation
D) the Hundred Years’ War
E) the Renaissance
Answer: C
Rationale:
The Reformation, a sixteenth-century European upheaval led by figures such as Martin
Luther and John Calvin, had a profound impact on England's settlement of the New World.
Religious conflicts and persecution prompted many English Protestants, including Puritans
and Separatists, to seek refuge and religious freedom in the Americas.
23. The English monarch responsible for quieting religious conflict and strengthening
England in the face of Spanish power was ________.
A) Henry VII
B) Henry VIII
C) Elizabeth I
D) Mary Tudor
E) James I
Answer: C
Rationale:
Elizabeth I was the English monarch responsible for quieting religious conflict and
strengthening England in the face of Spanish power. Her reign, known as the Elizabethan era,
saw England assert itself as a major maritime and colonial power, challenging the dominance
of Spain.
24. The mission of the Spanish Armada was to ________.
A) suppress a revolt in the Netherlands
B) defend Queen Elizabeth I of England against challenges to her rule
C) defeat Queen Elizabeth I and make England a Catholic country
D) replace Queen Elizabeth I with Mary Queen of Scots
E) get revenge against the English for their seizure of Spanish treasure galleons
Answer: C
Rationale:
The mission of the Spanish Armada was to defeat Queen Elizabeth I and make England a
Catholic country. The Spanish Armada was dispatched by King Philip II of Spain in 1588
with the aim of invading England, overthrowing Elizabeth I, and restoring Catholicism as the
dominant religion.
25. In the 1580s, the English attempted to make a settlement at ________.
A) Jamestown
B) Newfoundland
C) Plymouth
D) Hatteras
E) Roanoke
Answer: E
Rationale:
In the 1580s, the English attempted to make a settlement at Roanoke. This settlement, known
as the "Lost Colony," was established by Sir Walter Raleigh on Roanoke Island in presentday North Carolina but ultimately failed, with the fate of its inhabitants remaining a mystery.
26. What was the most important result of the domestication of maize (corn), beans, and
squash by some Native American groups?
A) moving from nomadism to a settled lifestyle
B) no longer hunting mammals
C) the evolution of Indians into a single continental cultural unit
D) the disappearance of the Anasazi culture
E) a general move to the coasts
Answer: A
Rationale:
The most important result of the domestication of maize (corn), beans, and squash by some
Native American groups was moving from nomadism to a settled lifestyle. The adoption of
agriculture allowed certain Native American societies to transition from a nomadic hunting
and gathering lifestyle to one based on settled farming communities.
27. By the time Europeans arrived, the Aztecs had all of the following EXCEPT ________.
A) large cities ruled by effective bureaucracies
B) tools and weapons made of iron and bronze
C) hieroglyphic writing
D) an accurate solar calendar
E) a religion that involved human sacrifice
Answer: B
Rationale:
By the time Europeans arrived, the Aztecs had all of the following except tools and weapons
made of iron and bronze. The Aztecs primarily used weapons made of stone, such as obsidian
blades, and did not have access to iron and bronze metallurgy like some other ancient
civilizations.
28. Which best describes how divisions among Algonquian groups helped facilitate European
conquest of their lands?
A) Algonquian groups were so busy fighting each other that they did not notice the European
arrivals.
B) Algonquian groups competed among each other to become trading partners with European
arrivals.
C) Algonquian groups could not communicate with each other and thus could not warn each
other of European invaders.
D) Algonquian groups had a strict hierarchy that made it much easier for Europeans to
conquer them.
E) Algonquian groups were more likely to form alliances with outsiders than with each other.
Answer: E
Rationale:
Divisions among Algonquian groups facilitated European conquest of their lands because
Algonquian groups were more likely to form alliances with outsiders than with each other.
This lack of unity made it easier for Europeans to exploit divisions and establish dominance
over indigenous peoples.
29. Which of these was quickly adopted by Native Americans after contact with Europeans?
A) guns
B) marriage customs
C) public education
D) Christianity
E) urbanization
Answer: A
Rationale:
Guns were quickly adopted by Native Americans after contact with Europeans. The
introduction of firearms significantly altered Native American warfare and hunting practices,
leading to changes in social and political dynamics within indigenous societies.
30. Which of the following statements is FALSE?
A) Native American men were more receptive to Christianity than were the women.
B) When Indians and whites married, the European partner usually chose to live among the
Indians.
C) When trading with Native Americans, Europeans easily took advantage of the Indians.
D) Europeans had little success “civilizing” the Indians.
E) Native American women jealously guarded their traditional cultures.
Answer: C
Rationale:
The statement that Europeans easily took advantage of the Indians when trading is false.
While there were instances of unfair trade practices and exploitation, Native Americans were
not always passive victims in trade negotiations and often engaged in shrewd bargaining to
obtain desired goods from European traders.
31. What was the main result of the deadly diseases brought to the New World by Europeans?
A) an extremely high mortality rate among the natives, destroying the culture of many tribes
B) a diminution of these diseases throughout Europe
C) some deaths, but a low number compared to those caused by warfare between Native
Americans and Europeans
D) a death rate that was high only where Native Americans lived in low concentrations
E) no significant deaths since Native Americans were already immune to these diseases
Answer: A
Rationale:
The main result of the deadly diseases brought to the New World by Europeans was an
extremely high mortality rate among the natives, destroying the culture of many tribes.
Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza decimated indigenous populations who
lacked immunity, leading to catastrophic population declines and the collapse of many Native
American societies.
32. Which statement about West Africa during the era of the European slave trade is TRUE?
A) Africans were isolated from the rest of the world.
B) Africans had a simple, self-sufficient economy.
C) A single culture covered most of the African continent.
D) Muslim missionaries had introduced Islam.
E) Africans were united by a single language.
Answer: D
Rationale:
The true statement about West Africa during the era of the European slave trade is that
Muslim missionaries had introduced Islam. Islam spread across West Africa through trade
networks, cultural exchanges, and the activities of Muslim scholars and traders, particularly
in regions such as the Sahel and along the coast.
33. Which was NOT a reason why Scandinavian outposts in the New World were eventually
abandoned?
A) a colder climate
B) hostile groups of Native Americans
C) political upheavals in Scandinavia
D) poor communication
E) competition with Portuguese fishing groups
Answer: E
Rationale:
Competition with Portuguese fishing groups was not a reason why Scandinavian outposts in
the New World were eventually abandoned. Scandinavian outposts in North America, such as
those established by the Vikings, faced challenges such as a colder climate, conflicts with
indigenous peoples, political instability in Scandinavia, and difficulties in communication and
resupply, which contributed to their eventual abandonment.
34. Why did the Portuguese reject Columbus’s proposed route to Cathay?
A) They wanted Columbus to sail to India, not Cathay.
B) They believed that Columbus had underestimated the Earth’s circumference.
C) They believed the Earth was round.
D) They believed that Columbus had no intention of reaching Cathay and was presenting a
false route simply to gain monetary support.
E) They thought that Columbus would encounter too many hostile Indians on his proposed
route.
Answer: B
Rationale:
The Portuguese rejected Columbus’s proposed route to Cathay because they believed that
Columbus had underestimated the Earth’s circumference. Portuguese navigators, such as
Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama, had already demonstrated that it was possible to reach
Asia by sailing around Africa, and they doubted Columbus’s claims that he could reach Asia
by sailing west across the Atlantic.
35. Why was “America” named after Amerigo Vespucci?
A) Vespucci published a falsified travel account that convinced mapmakers that he had been
the first European to reach the continent.
B) Vespucci had been on Columbus’s last voyage, but unlike Columbus realized that they had
found a new continent.
C) Vespucci’s travels to the Americas brought great wealth to Spain, and he was rewarded
with a continent named for him.
D) Vespucci was the first person to make contact with what is now the Bahamas, and the
continent he reached was named after him.
E) Vespucci convinced the king and queen of Spain that Columbus had falsified reports of his
travels, and proved that it was he who had been the first to reach the Americas.
Answer: A
Rationale:
"America" was named after Amerigo Vespucci because he published a falsified travel account
that convinced mapmakers that he had been the first European to reach the continent.
Vespucci's writings, particularly his "Mundus Novus" (New World) letters, described his
voyages to the Americas and contributed to the popularization of the idea that a new
continent had been discovered separate from Asia.
36. Which was a key reason Cortés was able to conquer Montezuma, the Aztec emperor?
A) Montezuma’s unarmored horseman were unable to fight the armored horses that Cortés
brought with him.
B) Cortés convinced the Aztecs to fight against their own corrupt leader, Montezuma.
C) Cortés and his men overwhelmingly outnumbered the Aztecs.
D) Cortés was able to recruit thousands of nearby Native Americans who helped him defeat
Montezuma.
E) Montezuma believed that the Spaniards were gods and did not resist them at first.
Answer: E
Rationale:
A key reason Cortés was able to conquer Montezuma, the Aztec emperor, was that
Montezuma initially believed that the Spaniards were gods and did not resist them at first.
Cortés exploited this belief and used it to his advantage in gaining access to the Aztec capital
of Tenochtitlan and eventually overthrowing Aztec rule.
37. How did the Historia de las Indias change the colonization of the New World?
A) It helped the Spanish recognize that they needed to be ruthless in order to prevail.
B) It led Spain to improve its treatment of Indians under their rule.
C) It helped the Spanish recognize that they would not be able to prevail over the powerful
empires in the New World.
D) It led the Spanish to the conquest of the Aztecs.
E) It helped the Spanish recognize that Spanish culture was vastly inferior to native culture.
Answer: B
Rationale:
The Historia de las Indias changed the colonization of the New World by leading Spain to
improve its treatment of Indians under their rule. Written by Bartolomé de las Casas, this
influential work exposed the abuses suffered by indigenous peoples at the hands of Spanish
colonizers, leading to reforms such as the New Laws of 1542, which aimed to protect
38. Why was Spain’s wealth acquired from the New World considered to be a mixed
blessing?
A) Spain was forced to send a large proportion of its population to the New World to help
ship gold and silver back to Spain.
B) The Spanish got wealthy from silver and gold in the New World, but lost most of their
army and navy in battles with Native Americans.
C) Because Spain used the New World only as a source of wealth, it did not consider
establishing real settlements there.
D) Because Spain gained its wealth so quickly, it caused great inflation for ordinary
Spaniards.
E) Most of the wealth ended up in the hands of Portuguese shippers.
Answer: D
Rationale:
Spain's wealth acquired from the New World was considered a mixed blessing because it
caused great inflation for ordinary Spaniards. The influx of gold and silver from the Americas
led to a significant increase in the money supply in Spain, causing prices to rise rapidly and
devaluing the currency. This inflation harmed the Spanish economy and contributed to
socioeconomic instability.
39. Which statement best describes how the early French colonists viewed Native
Americans?
A) as obstacles to dominating the fur trade
B) as potential slaves
C) as valuable economic partners
D) as obstacles to settling the land in North America
E) as likely converts to Christianity
Answer: C
Rationale:
The early French colonists viewed Native Americans as valuable economic partners. Unlike
some other European colonizers who sought to dominate or enslave indigenous peoples, the
French focused on establishing trade relationships with Native American tribes, particularly
in the lucrative fur trade. This approach fostered relatively amicable relations between the
French and many Native American groups.
40. What was the chief reason France was slow to establish a North American empire?
A) poor relations with the Indians of Canada and the West
B) the French government’s indifference to affairs in the New World
C) too many French settlers moving to the New World too quickly
D) an inability to find anything of economic consequence in the New World
E) too much competition with the English settlers over land in the New World
Answer: B
Rationale:
The chief reason France was slow to establish a North American empire was the French
government’s indifference to affairs in the New World. Unlike Spain and England, which
actively sponsored and supported colonization efforts, the French monarchy showed little
interest in funding and promoting settlement in North America. As a result, French
colonization efforts were often undertaken by private companies or individuals rather than
receiving significant state support.
41. Why was England initially reluctant to establish an empire in the Americas?
A) Colonization threatened the English alliance with Spain.
B) Colonization threatened the English alliance with France.
C) Colonization would force Spain to ally itself with Portugal and France against England.
D) The English did not want to bring about conflict with the Pope.
E) Colonization threatened English trading agreements with the Dutch.
Answer: A
Rationale:
England was initially reluctant to establish an empire in the Americas because colonization
threatened the English alliance with Spain. During the early 16th century, England sought to
maintain peaceful relations with Spain, a powerful European rival. The prospect of English
colonization in territories claimed by Spain could have sparked conflict and jeopardized
diplomatic relations between the two nations.
42. Which of the following identifies the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation in England
in the 1500s?
A) Henry VII’s severing of all ties with the pope
B) the Act of Supremacy
C) the death of Edward VI
D) land that belonged to the Catholic Church was transferred to private owners
E) Henry VIII’s wish to dissolve his marriage to Catherine of Aragon
Answer: E
Rationale:
The catalyst for the Protestant Reformation in England in the 1500s was Henry VIII’s wish to
dissolve his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Henry's desire to annul his marriage to
Catherine, who had not borne him a male heir, led to a conflict with the Pope over the
annulment, ultimately resulting in England's break from the authority of the Roman Catholic
Church and the establishment of the Church of England.
43. Who backed the first colonization efforts undertaken by the English in the New World?
A) Henry VII
B) Italians acting for the English monarch
C) Parliament
D) Catholic merchants
E) Elizabeth I
Answer: E
Rationale:
The first colonization efforts undertaken by the English in the New World were backed by
Elizabeth I. Queen Elizabeth I provided support and authorization for ventures such as Sir
Walter Raleigh's attempts to establish settlements in North America, including the ill-fated
Roanoke colony.
44. Why was English Protestantism able to spread so successfully in the 1500s?
A) popular dissatisfaction with the clergy
B) the fact that Martin Luther and John Calvin were both English
C) the fervent Catholicism of the Tudor Kings
D) the English hostility to the French Huguenots
E) Mary I becoming queen of England
Answer: A
Rationale:
English Protestantism was able to spread so successfully in the 1500s due to popular
dissatisfaction with the clergy. Many English people were critical of the corruption and
abuses within the Catholic Church, which paved the way for the acceptance of Protestant
ideas and reforms introduced during the English Reformation under Henry VIII and his
successors.
45. Which of the following is incorrectly matched with its colonies?
A) France: Canada
B) Portugal: Brazil
C) Spain: Puerto Rico
D) England: Cuba
E) Spain: Mexico
Answer: D
Rationale:
The option incorrectly matched with its colonies is England: Cuba. Cuba was a Spanish
colony, not an English one. English colonies in the Caribbean included territories such as
Jamaica, Barbados, and later, the Bahamas, but Cuba remained under Spanish control
throughout the colonial period.
46. Which does NOT identify a reason why the Roanoke colonies were doomed from their
inception?
A) poor planning by the organizers of the settlement
B) England’s distraction because of its preparations for war
C) England devoting resources to its impending war with Spain
D) religious conflicts among settlers
E) hostilities with Native Americans
Answer: D
Rationale:
Religious conflicts among settlers do not identify a reason why the Roanoke colonies were
doomed from their inception. While religious differences may have existed among the
settlers, they were not a primary factor contributing to the failure of the Roanoke colonies.
The main reasons for their demise included poor planning, lack of adequate supplies, tensions
with Native American tribes, and England's focus on its conflict with Spain.
47. How did Richard Hakluyt keep the dream of colonizing America alive?
A) He explored the New World and brought exotic products back to England.
B) He interviewed explorers and told their stories in a popular book.
C) He started a successful colony that made reasonably good profits.
D) He wrote a work on the variety and cultural diversity of Native Americans.
E) He wrote a fictional story about a settlement but claimed it was a factual account.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Richard Hakluyt kept the dream of colonizing America alive by interviewing explorers and
telling their stories in a popular book. His works, such as "The Principal Navigations,
Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation," highlighted the potential riches
and opportunities in the New World, inspiring further exploration and colonization efforts by
providing detailed accounts of previous voyages and encounters.
48. What was the key difference between the English and Spanish colonial systems?
A) The English Crown totally funded the colonies, while the Spanish Crown offered little aid
to its colonizers.
B) The English efforts were private, and the Spanish colonies were supported by the Crown.
C) The English settled the interior lands, while the Spanish settled primarily in coastal
regions.
D) Religion played a central role in all the English colonies, but had little or no impact in
New Spain.
E) The English were more concerned with finding wealth in the New World, while the
Spanish wanted to establish permanent settlements.
Answer: B
Rationale:
The key difference between the English and Spanish colonial systems was that the English
efforts were private, while the Spanish colonies were supported by the Crown. In the English
system, colonization was largely undertaken by private companies, individuals, or groups
who received charters from the Crown but operated with significant autonomy. In contrast,
Spanish colonization efforts were directly funded and supported by the Spanish monarchy,
with colonial administration tightly controlled by the Crown.
49. Which is the best interpretation of historian Davis Eltis’s statement: “In terms of
immigration alone... America was an extension of Africa rather than Europe until the late
nineteenth century.”
A) The colonists set up communities in the New World that were much closer to the
communities of Africa than those of Europe.
B) Many European colonists gave up the traditional ways of their homelands, while people
brought to America from Africa retained most of their traditions.
C) The new colonies were governed in ways that were unlike any kind of European
government and more like African governments.
D) Africans were not the largest group to immigrate to America, but they had the greatest
influence on the new colonies.
E) More Africans than Europeans came to North America in the early years of colonization.
Answer: E
Rationale:
The best interpretation of historian Davis Eltis’s statement is that more Africans than
Europeans came to North America in the early years of colonization. Eltis highlights the
significant impact of the transatlantic slave trade, which resulted in a large influx of African
labor to the Americas, particularly during the period of plantation-based economies in the
Caribbean and mainland North and South America.
50. Which is the best description of the most important message Richard Hakluyt’s stories
communicated to European readers?
A) Readers were convinced that the New World was a paradise that was theirs for the taking,
disregarding the native people already living there.
B) Readers were cautioned not to settle in the New World without first being aware of the
potential dangers that they could face.
C) Readers were convinced that the Native Americans were agreeable and eager to help them
get settled in exchange for trading new ideas and goods.
D) Readers were warned to be sensitive to the concerns of Native Americans and not to treat
the New World as a place that was simply theirs for the taking.
E) Readers were convinced that they would find precious metals in North America, and
Hakluyt’s stories told them where to find those precious metals.
Answer: A
Rationale:
The best description of the most important message Richard Hakluyt’s stories communicated
to European readers is that readers were convinced that the New World was a paradise that
was theirs for the taking, disregarding the native people already living there. Hakluyt's
narratives often portrayed the Americas as vast, unclaimed territories rich in resources and
opportunities, encouraging European colonization and exploitation of the land without much
consideration for the indigenous populations already residing there.
Essay
1. Compare the cultures that could be found in the New World prior to the arrival of
Europeans. Why did such a great diversity exist among native groups?
Answer: The cultures in the New World prior to European arrival exhibited remarkable
diversity, ranging from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to advanced civilizations with
complex social structures and monumental architecture. Some cultures, like the Inca, Aztec,
and Maya, developed sophisticated urban centers, monumental architecture, and intricate
political systems, while others, such as the Plains Indians or Amazonian tribes, lived in
smaller, decentralized communities relying on hunting, gathering, and subsistence
agriculture. This diversity of cultures was shaped by several factors:
1. Geographic Variation: The New World encompassed diverse ecosystems, including
rainforests, deserts, mountains, and coastal plains. These varied environments influenced the
lifestyles, resource availability, and cultural practices of indigenous groups.
2. Historical Development: Indigenous cultures in the Americas had millennia of history,
during which they developed unique languages, traditions, and social structures through
interactions with their environments and neighboring societies.
3. Linguistic and Ethnic Diversity: The Americas were home to numerous linguistic families
and ethnic groups, each with its own languages, dialects, and cultural traditions. This
linguistic and ethnic diversity contributed to the richness of indigenous cultures.
4. Socioeconomic Practices: Indigenous societies engaged in diverse economic activities,
such as agriculture, fishing, hunting, gathering, and trade. Economic practices were shaped
by environmental conditions, technological advancements, and cultural preferences.
5. Spiritual and Religious Beliefs: Native American religions varied widely, encompassing
animism, polytheism, ancestor worship, and shamanism. Religious beliefs and practices were
deeply intertwined with cultural identity, social organization, and environmental stewardship.
Overall, the great diversity among native groups in the New World was a result of centuries
of adaptation, innovation, and cultural exchange within distinct ecological, social, and
historical contexts. This diversity reflected the resilience, creativity, and complexity of
indigenous societies prior to European colonization.
2. Describe the Spanish conquest of Central and South America. How did this conquest
transform Native American cultures?
Answer: The Spanish conquest of Central and South America was a complex and brutal
process that unfolded over several decades in the 16th century. Led by conquistadors such as
Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, Spanish forces utilized advanced weaponry, alliances
with indigenous groups, and the spread of diseases to subjugate powerful empires like the
Aztecs in Mexico and the Incas in Peru. The conquest involved military campaigns,
massacres, and the establishment of Spanish colonial rule.
How did this conquest transform Native American cultures?
The Spanish conquest had profound and lasting effects on the cultures of Native Americans in
Central and South America:
1. Decimation of Populations: The introduction of diseases, such as smallpox and measles, to
which Native Americans had no immunity, led to catastrophic population declines. These
epidemics caused widespread death and societal disruption, significantly altering
demographic patterns and social structures.
2. Imposition of Spanish Institutions: The Spanish imposed their political, economic, and
religious institutions on Native American societies. Indigenous leaders were replaced by
Spanish officials, and local governance systems were restructured to align with Spanish
colonial administration. Catholicism became the dominant religion, as indigenous beliefs and
practices were suppressed or syncretized with Christian elements.
3. Economic Exploitation: Native American labor was exploited through systems such as the
encomienda, which granted Spanish settlers control over indigenous labor and tribute
payments. Forced labor in mines, plantations, and other Spanish enterprises led to widespread
exploitation, abuse, and the depletion of indigenous populations.
4. Loss of Cultural Heritage: Indigenous languages, traditions, and knowledge systems were
marginalized or suppressed under Spanish rule. Native American cultural practices, including
language, art, religion, and governance, were often deemed inferior or heretical by Spanish
authorities, leading to the erosion of cultural identity and heritage.
5. Introduction of New Technologies and Practices: The Spanish introduced new
technologies, crops, and animals to the Americas, fundamentally altering indigenous
economies and ecosystems. European livestock, crops like wheat and sugar cane, and
techniques such as metalworking and agriculture transformed indigenous societies and
landscapes.
Overall, the Spanish conquest resulted in profound cultural, demographic, and socioeconomic
changes for Native American populations in Central and South America, shaping the course
of history in the region for centuries to come.
3. Compare and contrast the factors that attracted the Spanish, the French, and the English to
the New World, and how these “pull” factors affected the development of each nation’s New
World colonies.
Answer: The Spanish, French, and English were each drawn to the New World by unique
factors, leading to distinct colonial endeavors and outcomes:
Spanish: The Spanish were primarily motivated by the pursuit of wealth and glory. They
sought gold, silver, and other precious resources, as well as opportunities for trade and
expansion of their empire. The allure of riches, combined with the desire to spread
Catholicism and establish dominance in the Americas, drove Spanish exploration and
colonization efforts.
French: The French were attracted to the New World primarily for economic reasons,
particularly the lucrative fur trade. French explorers and traders sought to establish profitable
trading networks with Native American tribes, especially in regions rich in fur-bearing
animals like beavers. Additionally, the French were interested in securing strategic locations
for military and territorial expansion.
English: The English were motivated by a combination of economic, religious, and political
factors. Economic opportunities, including agricultural land, natural resources, and trade
routes, played a significant role in attracting English settlers to the New World. Additionally,
religious dissenters sought refuge in the Americas, seeking freedom from religious
persecution and the opportunity to establish communities based on their beliefs. Political
ambitions, including competition with rival European powers and the desire to establish
colonies as sources of wealth and power, also influenced English colonization efforts.
How did these “pull” factors affect the development of each nation’s New World colonies?
The unique motivations behind Spanish, French, and English colonization efforts shaped the
development of their respective New World colonies in distinct ways:
Spanish Colonies: The pursuit of wealth and power led the Spanish to focus on exploiting the
region's natural resources, particularly gold and silver. Spanish colonies were characterized
by extractive economies, with large-scale mining operations and forced labor systems like the
encomienda. The Spanish Crown exercised tight control over colonial affairs, leading to
centralized governance and the imposition of Spanish culture and religion on indigenous
populations.
French Colonies: French colonies in the New World were primarily oriented towards the fur
trade and establishing trade alliances with Native American tribes. Unlike the Spanish, the
French had a more decentralized approach to colonization, with a focus on fur trading posts
and alliances with indigenous peoples. French settlers often coexisted and intermarried with
Native Americans, leading to the development of a unique cultural and economic exchange
known as the "French-Indian fur trade."
English Colonies: English colonization efforts were characterized by a diverse range of
motivations and outcomes. In the Chesapeake region, colonies like Virginia were primarily
driven by economic interests, particularly tobacco cultivation and land speculation. In New
England, colonies such as Massachusetts Bay were founded by religious dissenters seeking
religious freedom and the establishment of Puritan communities. The Middle Colonies,
including Pennsylvania, attracted settlers from various backgrounds seeking economic
opportunities, religious freedom, and political autonomy. Overall, English colonies were
marked by a greater degree of self-government, religious diversity, and economic innovation
compared to Spanish and French colonies in the New World.
Test Bank for The American Story
Robert A. Divine, T. H. Breen, R. Hal Williams, Ariela J. Gross, H. W. Brands
9780205900688
