Differences between the History of North America and Eurasia.
Prior to the coming of the Europeans in the 15th century, the natives of North America were divided into different ethnic-political entities. These entities lived in several ethnic areas which correspond to geographic and biological zones. Native American Indians may be also grouped according to language lineage. For example, the Mayans were distinguished from the Aztecs by language and geography.
In Eurasia, the distinction between groups and nation are somewhat blurred. Although tribes were divided into lingual-ethnic lines, there was no recognizable political boundary. Indeed, prior to the Shang dynasty, the northern part of China and Mongolia was a coagulation of multilingual ethnic groups. In the Middle and Near East, natives were divided along strict political boundaries. The Sumerians were distinguished from the Babylonians by the place of origin (settlement). There was also strict adherence to specific functional deities. Cities were distinguished by reverence to special gods. People were then classified based on political-religious location.
Around 1500 B.C., the southern tribes of North America learned to domesticate crops and animals. Perhaps, the more important domesticated crop was maize (corn). In Eurasia, domestication was introduced sometime around 4500 B.C - the foundation of the first civilizations in Sumer, Ganges, and the Yangtze Valley. As a result of the development of agriculture in the south, important cultural advances were made. The Mayans developed a complex writing system, built magnificent dikes and pyramids, created a sophisticated calendar, and to some extent, introduced the concept of tens and zero.
In Eurasia, cultural advances were strictly limited to the valley regions in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, and China. Central Asia was home to a large group of nomadic tribesmen. North Asia was inhabited by a group of nomads known as Tartars. Settlements were also found in the outskirts of Tibet, Malaysia, and some parts of Southeast Asia.
The cultural divide which existed between the Old and the New World was none existent prior to 1492. Europeans were accustomed to Asia the region of spices, gold, and slaves. The Church saw Asia as a basket of potential converts (during the Mongol rule). Indeed, after Columbus discovery of America, there was a shift of political and religious focus. Both Spain and Portugal saw the Americas as a future beacon of political and religious power (Treaty of Tordesillas). In the view of the Europeans, North America was a backward region which can be easily conquered and manipulated. In retrospect, however, Cortes arrival in Tenochtitlan the Aztec capital changed everything. The American Indians did, indeed, possessed sophistication comparable to the nation-states of Europe. This sophistication, however, was viewed by the Church as heresy. Indeed, tragedy befell the nation-states of North America.
To sum, the differences between the history of North America and Eurasia are generally ethno-political distinctions. In Eurasia, civilizations developed around 4500 B.C, about 3000 years earlier than the foundation of civilizations in North America. There were also fairly large groups of nomads in Central and North Asia. In North America, the nomadic lifestyle did not suit ecological and geographical conditions. Natives in North America were grouped primarily according to lineage and language while that in Eurasia by language and ethnicity.
In Eurasia, the distinction between groups and nation are somewhat blurred. Although tribes were divided into lingual-ethnic lines, there was no recognizable political boundary. Indeed, prior to the Shang dynasty, the northern part of China and Mongolia was a coagulation of multilingual ethnic groups. In the Middle and Near East, natives were divided along strict political boundaries. The Sumerians were distinguished from the Babylonians by the place of origin (settlement). There was also strict adherence to specific functional deities. Cities were distinguished by reverence to special gods. People were then classified based on political-religious location.
Around 1500 B.C., the southern tribes of North America learned to domesticate crops and animals. Perhaps, the more important domesticated crop was maize (corn). In Eurasia, domestication was introduced sometime around 4500 B.C - the foundation of the first civilizations in Sumer, Ganges, and the Yangtze Valley. As a result of the development of agriculture in the south, important cultural advances were made. The Mayans developed a complex writing system, built magnificent dikes and pyramids, created a sophisticated calendar, and to some extent, introduced the concept of tens and zero.
In Eurasia, cultural advances were strictly limited to the valley regions in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, and China. Central Asia was home to a large group of nomadic tribesmen. North Asia was inhabited by a group of nomads known as Tartars. Settlements were also found in the outskirts of Tibet, Malaysia, and some parts of Southeast Asia.
The cultural divide which existed between the Old and the New World was none existent prior to 1492. Europeans were accustomed to Asia the region of spices, gold, and slaves. The Church saw Asia as a basket of potential converts (during the Mongol rule). Indeed, after Columbus discovery of America, there was a shift of political and religious focus. Both Spain and Portugal saw the Americas as a future beacon of political and religious power (Treaty of Tordesillas). In the view of the Europeans, North America was a backward region which can be easily conquered and manipulated. In retrospect, however, Cortes arrival in Tenochtitlan the Aztec capital changed everything. The American Indians did, indeed, possessed sophistication comparable to the nation-states of Europe. This sophistication, however, was viewed by the Church as heresy. Indeed, tragedy befell the nation-states of North America.
To sum, the differences between the history of North America and Eurasia are generally ethno-political distinctions. In Eurasia, civilizations developed around 4500 B.C, about 3000 years earlier than the foundation of civilizations in North America. There were also fairly large groups of nomads in Central and North Asia. In North America, the nomadic lifestyle did not suit ecological and geographical conditions. Natives in North America were grouped primarily according to lineage and language while that in Eurasia by language and ethnicity.
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