FREE AP US History Period 1 (1491 - 1607) Question and Answers

Question 1

Which response most accurately sums up Spanish perceptions of the de las Casas report?

Accepted Answer

Generally, Spaniards were unconcerned because they thought Native Americans should be exploited because they were uncivilized.

Answer

Most Spaniards discounted his description because it was Protestant propaganda.

Answer

Many Spaniards were horrified by the savage and cruel behavior he described.

Answer

Most Spaniards were incredulous because they realized de las Casas intentionally distorted precise colonial census information.

Question 2

Which of the following statements accurately describes a significant effect of the Spanish perspective on Native Americans?

Accepted Answer

Because so many native peoples were dying, the Spanish began to import slaves from Africa to replenish their labor supply.

Answer

Native American people and culture were completely eradicated.

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Due to a lack of manpower, colonial possessions were unable to turn a profit, which led to the Spanish crown being bankrupt.

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Many Spaniards pressured the monarch to enact changes that raised Native Americans' living standards because they were motivated by a sense of Christian devotion.

Question 3

Which of the following statements best encapsulates the Spanish empire's social structure?

Accepted Answer

Spanish officials created a strict caste based on precise racial categories that placed native Spaniards at the top.

Answer

Only colonists of pure Spanish heritage were accorded any social status.

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No discernible rules governed colonial society – the status of each colonial subject was randomly determined.

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Social standing was based on merit and abilities – anyone could increase their status and rise to the top.

Question 4

Cite the engraving from the late 16th century that is shown below:

Which of the following claims about the effects of European colonialism is true?

Accepted Answer

Colonization brought wealth to European imperial powers which resulted in political and economic innovations.

Answer

The Europeans helped civilize the Native Americans and improved their quality of life by sharing technology with them.

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Both the Europeans and Native Americans became rich and powerful by sharing the profits from economic ventures.

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The effects of colonization up both Europeans and Native Americans were temporary and very small.

Question 5

Cite the engraving from the late 16th century that is shown below:

What made it possible for the Europeans to subjugate the Native Americans?

Accepted Answer

The Europeans had advanced military technology and also brought with them diseases that ravaged native populations.

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There were no powerful Native American empires — only weak bands of nomads.

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The Native Americans were subdued because they were pagans and refused to accept Christianity.

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The European invaders greatly outnumbered the Native Americans they encountered.

Question 6

Cite the engraving from the late 16th century that is shown below:

What impact, if any, did Native American culture have on Europeans?

Accepted Answer

Europeans began to partake of many of the same luxury items that the indigenous social elites consumed.

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Many Europeans began to worship Native American deities because they were disgusted with the conflicts created by the Reformation.

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Large numbers of Europeans began to dress like the Native Americans because it was much more comfortable.

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Nothing — the Europeans rejected every aspect of Native American culture because they thought indigenous peoples were uncivilized.

Question 7

Refers to the illustration depicting the effects of smallpox on the Aztec population from the 16th century that is shown below.
Why were Native Americans susceptible to diseases brought over from Europe?

Accepted Answer

Most Indigenous peoples did not live in urban areas and had few domesticated animals, which meant they did not develop a resistance to many animal-borne illnesses

Answer

Indigenous peoples died because they suffered divine retribution for refusing to convert to Christianity.

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Indigenous peoples were physically inferior to Europeans and often became ill.

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Unlike Europeans, indigenous peoples had not developed vaccines.