Guest writer: Sarah Bradstreet from 9 APUSH Historical Thinking Skills

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Causation is a chronological reasoning skill. It involves understanding cause-and-effect relationships throughout history. To demonstrate this skill, you should be able to: 🤔

• identify long- and short-term causes of historical events

• evaluate the relative significance of multiple causes of a historical event

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Recap of Period 1 for Quizzes. Potential Multiple Choice Questions

The final historical thinking skill of causation involves understanding the cause-and-effect relationships that have occurred throughout history. This skill involves identifying short-term and long-term causes and of historical events as well as evaluating the significance of multiple causes of historical events. In order to establish cause-and-effect, it is important to understand the context of a situation.

When explaining a car crash, for example, a person will usually tell you the things that were happening before the crash (causes) and how those things led to what came after (effects). Practice with these two questions. 

1. What were the effects of the Transatlantic Trade on the development of a North American economy during 1491-1607?

2. What effect did the clash of cultures in North America have on the following groups:

a. Europeans,

b. Native Americans, and

c. Africans 

Causation Behind Early Transatlantic Voyages

Big Idea 1: Native Population Settlement and Advancement

💡 How the College Board frames it: "As native populations migrated and settled across the vast expanse of North America over time, they developed distinct and increasingly complex societies by adapting to and transforming their diverse environments."

The indigenous populations of North America, throughout their migration and settlement journey across the vast and diverse landscape, created unique and intricate societies. This was achieved through their ability to adapt to and modify their surroundings to fit their needs and cultural beliefs. The result was the formation of diverse and rich cultural traditions, each shaped by the specific physical and environmental characteristics of the region in which they settled.

It is important to note that these societies were not static but rather continued to evolve and grow, developing new technologies, trade networks, and political structures. The adaptation to their environment and the integration of new ideas and practices, allowed these societies to thrive and become highly sophisticated. Through their connection with the natural world and their ability to use the resources available to them, they built complex societies that reflected the beauty, resilience and adaptability of the human spirit.

Strategies

The implementation of innovative strategies in agriculture, resource utilization, and social organization allowed them to create self-sufficient communities that were well adapted to their specific environments.

For example, many native societies developed sophisticated agricultural practices that allowed them to cultivate crops and produce food in even the harshest of environments. They also utilized the resources available to them in unique and sustainable ways, such as fishing, hunting, and gathering. The result was the formation of well-balanced ecosystems that provided for their communities and ensured their survival.

Additionally, the social structures of these societies also evolved to reflect their environment and the resources available to them. They developed complex systems of governance, trade, and cooperation that allowed them to work together to meet their needs and solve common problems.

Big Idea 2: Transatlantic Interactions Between Europe, Africa, and the Americas

💡 How the College Board frames it: "Contact among Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans resulted in the Columbian Exchange and significant social, cultural, and political changes on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean."

European Expansion into the Americas: Competition

The colonization of the Western Hemisphere by European powers was a significant event in world history that brought about substantial social, religious, political, and economic changes within the European nations themselves.

The process of establishing colonies and trading posts in the New World created competition among European powers, which led to an intensification of rivalries between countries. The competition was not only limited to geographical expansion but also included the spread of religion, commerce, and ideas. This competition resulted in the emergence of new institutions, practices, and beliefs in Europe and also had far-reaching impacts on the indigenous populations of the Americas.

The pursuit of wealth, power, and influence in the New World necessitated new methods of governance and the development of new forms of economic activity, such as mercantilism, which involved the regulation of commerce for the benefit of the state. This in turn impacted the development of the modern nation-state system and the emergence of the capitalist economy.

Source: History.com

Moreover, the religious competition between European powers, particularly between Catholics and Protestants, had a profound effect on the development of these religions in Europe. The colonization of the New World also led to the establishment of new religious orders and the spread of Christianity, which had significant impacts on the indigenous populations.

The Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange, the transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and ideas between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, was a major turning point in world history. It had a profound impact on the development of the Spanish Empire in the Western Hemisphere, leading to significant demographic, economic, and social changes.

The arrival of new diseases, such as smallpox, had a devastating impact on the indigenous populations of the Americas. The Spanish Empire's exploitation of the New World's resources, including the forced labor of indigenous peoples, led to significant changes in the local economies and social structures. The influx of wealth from the New World allowed the Spanish Empire to become one of the dominant economic and military powers of the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Spanish Empire's control over large parts of the Western Hemisphere resulted in the creation of a complex network of trade and commerce, which connected the New World with Europe and Africa. This facilitated the transfer of goods, animals, plants, and people, leading to the emergence of new crops, such as maize, potatoes, and tomatoes, which had a profound impact on the diets and agriculture of Europe and the Americas.

Cultural Differences

The interactions between Europeans and Native Americans in the Americas were marked by the assertion of vastly different worldviews. These divergent perspectives centered around key issues such as religion, gender roles, family, land use, and power.

Religion was a major point of contention between Europeans and Native Americans. Europeans sought to convert the indigenous populations to Christianity, while Native Americans maintained their traditional spiritual beliefs and practices. This resulted in the suppression of Native American spirituality and the imposition of European religious norms and values.

The role of gender and the definition of family were also sources of tension between the two groups. Native American societies often had fluid gender roles and fluid familial structures, which were in stark contrast to the more rigid and hierarchical European gender roles and family structures.

Land use and ownership were also significant points of contention between Europeans and Native Americans. Europeans viewed land as a commodity to be owned and exploited, while Native Americans viewed land as a communal resource to be shared and protected. This resulted in the displacement of indigenous populations and the destruction of their traditional ways of life.

Finally, the issue of power was central to the interactions between Europeans and Native Americans. Europeans viewed the indigenous populations as inferior and sought to exert control over them, while Native Americans resisted European domination and sought to maintain their independence and sovereignty.