AP US History: Period 1 (1491 - 1607) 2

Question 1

Which Native American civilization built large mound structures and was centered in present-day Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Cahokia (Mississippian culture)

Answer

Cahokia was the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico, featuring massive earthen mounds and a population of up to 20,000.

Question 2

What was the Columbian Exchange?

Accepted Answer

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and cultures between the Americas and the Old World

Answer

The Columbian Exchange was the massive biological and cultural transfer between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres following Columbus's voyages.

Question 3

What was the encomienda system implemented by Spanish colonizers?

Accepted Answer

A system granting colonists the right to demand labor and tribute from indigenous peoples

Answer

The encomienda system gave Spanish colonists authority over groups of indigenous people, extracting labor and tribute in exchange for supposed protection and religious instruction.

Question 4

How did the arrival of horses transform Native American societies on the Great Plains?

Accepted Answer

It revolutionized hunting, warfare, trade, and nomadic lifestyles

Answer

Horses, introduced by the Spanish, fundamentally transformed Plains Indian cultures by enabling more efficient buffalo hunting and increased mobility.

Question 5

What motivated European exploration of the Americas in the 15th and 16th centuries?

Accepted Answer

The three Gs: Gold (wealth), God (religious conversion), and Glory (national prestige)

Answer

European exploration was driven by economic motives (gold and trade routes), religious zeal (spreading Christianity), and competition for national glory.

AP Practice Test

AP Practice Test

AP US History: Period 1 (1491 - 1607) 2