HIS 121 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Mercantilism, Hotel Rwanda, Smallpox
Document Summary
Focus question: why was cahokia such an important city in pre-columbian. The issue of immigration is key to american history + the american experience. Native americans (or descendants) settled in what is now north america. ~13-14,000 years ago via a land bridge or ice sheets; east + west coast sailing. More than one source + method of immigration. There was as much variation among native americans as in. Europe or any other part of the world. Diversity seen across the world; see also: africa. Not a unique experience; lots of other examples of similar failures. Columbus opened the door to european global exploration + breaking down of isolation. Disease was the major factor that allowed europeans to easily take over native american tribes + lands. Idea that human societies work best when organized into nation states. Tribe organization is distinctly different than nation state organization.
