The First Americans

The First Americans

Introduction Origins Regional Diversity

Mesoamerica Southwest Eastern Woodlands

Mississippian Iroquois New England

Pacific Northwest Conclusion

Key Terms: Bering Land Bridge Teotihuacan Aztec Anasazi Cahokia Iroquois Hiawatha

Themes Origins of Native Americans

in Western Hemisphere Diversity of lifestyle Changing nature of Indian

societies before European contact




Conclusion


Aztec Capital - Tenochtitlan

Native Americans and Origins Numerous theories and

beliefs… Many anthropologists and

historians agree humans lived in North American about 35,000 BC

How did they arrive…? Bering Land Bridge

Map of Bering Land Bridge

New World Civilizations




Conclusion


Locations of Selected Native American Peoples, 1500 AD

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Nordamerikanische_Kulturareale_en.png

Farming Access to food = key Agricultural Origins

8000 B.C. Middle East 5000 B.C. Western Hemisphere

Meso-american

Southwest

Mississippian

Iroquois Algonquian Pacific Northwest

Location

Food Source

Dwellings

Interesting Facts




Conclusion


Major Mesoamerican Cultures

Major Mesoamerican Cultures (Aztecs)

Became dominant power by 1400s

Capitals = Tenochtitlan Pop: 300,000 (bigger than

an city in Europe)

Great Temple at Tenochtitlan Aztec honored over 200

deities

Major Mesoamerican Cultures (Aztecs)

Became dominant power by 1400s

Capitals = Tenochtitlan Pop: 300,000 (bigger than

an city in Europe) Irrigation network created

fertile cropland and access to fresh water

Still expanding their empire in early 1500s




Conclusion


Southwest


Southwest Know for its dry climate

but farming was important Anasazi

Chaco Canyon - important center for trade

Towns were set up so that straight roads would connect satellite communities


Anasazi culture declined by 12th and 13th centuries as rain levels dropped. Large communities most

likely dissolved into smaller tribes and bands





Conclusion



Eastern Woodlands


Mississippian Mississippian culture

emerged about 700 AD Cahokia was located near

present-day St. Louis


Cahokia Mounds Covered about 125 sq

miles 20,000 residents Built platform mounds

Served as temples and homes for chiefs

Mississippian Mississippian culture

emerged about 700 AD Cahokia was located near

present-day St. Louis After 1200 it entered a

period of decline

Iroquois


Iroquois: A Confederation of Five Separate Tribes Confederation of tribes that

number around 10,000 total Mohawks Oneidas Onondagas Cayugas Senecas


Political Structure Council Government

Each tribe in confederacy sent delegates/representatives to council meetings


Iroquois Society Homes = Longhouses

25 ft wide Up to 200 ft in length Several families would live

in each longhouse


Iroquois Society Homes = Longhouses

25 ft wide Up to 200 ft in length Several families would live in

each longhouse Property was owned communally Division of labor between

men/women: Men: hunted/fished; warriors Women: farmed and gathered

A significant portion of their diet came from farmed products


Women in Iroquois Society Descent was matrilineal;

Husband moved into home of wife’s family

houses were headed by women

Women could divorce their husbands

Women selected all delegates to the Iroquois Council and influenced policy


New England – Algonquians

• Pequot• Wampanoag• Powhatan• Potawatomi


New England – Algonquians Northern New England

Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine

Southern New England Massachusetts,

Connecticut, Rhode Island




Hunter-gathers: Very Mobile Spring and summer lived

near coasts; moved inland for fall and winter to hunt game animals


Connecticut, Rhode Island Hunted and Farmed (at

times up to 2/3 of diet)




Hunter-gathers: Very Mobile Spring and summer lived

near coasts; moved inland for fall and winter to hunt game animals

15,000-20,000 population in 1600


Connecticut, Rhode Island Hunted and Farmed (at

times up to 2/3 of diet) 55,000-80,000 population in

1600


Farming Methods Fields were cleared by girdling

and with fire “Three Sisters” of agriculture

Corn, beans, and squash were planted together

Corn drew Nitrogen Beans added Nitrogen

Farming had a major impact on the environment


Pacific Northwest


Pacific Northwest Lived as hunter/gatherers,

but also very wealthy

Indians of the Pacific Northwest Coast

http://content.lib.washington.edu/aipnw/

http://content.lib.washington.edu/aipnw/


Pacific Northwest Cedar trees could reach 250

feet height and 18 feet in diameter

Bark: used for clothing, baskets, etc. When softened it could be

fashioned into diapers for babies

Lumber: Canoes, homes (longhouses), etc. Longhouses were very large:

100 x 40 ft


Seafood/Salmon Seafood was the

foundation of their diet Fish could be caught in

many way Fish were preserved by

drying and smoking Key = Abundance

Clams, crabs, and other shellfish were eaten

Whales were hunted in some areas





Conclusion

Key Terms: Berign Land Bridge Teotihuacan Aztec Anasazi Cahokia Iroquois Hiawatha


Review Origins of Native Americans Tremendous differences

among Indian Peoples Compare and contrast life;

what ere some important traits of people living in different regions?


Source http://

college.cengage.com/history/lecturepoints/part01_lecture01/part01_lecture01.html


SouthwestSouthern Mexico Longhouses Farmed

AztecIncas

Mayans

Mesoamerica Longhouses Confederacy of Five Tribes Farmed

PowhatansPequot

Potawatomi

Pacific Northwest

Built Mound Platforms

Near present day St. Louis Farmed

Northern MexicoArizona

UtahColorado

New Mexico

MississippianMatrilineal

Society Tenochtitlan Farmed Chokia

Iroquois Pueblos Chaco CanyonHunter/Gather -

Seafood

Three SistersBeans

SquashCorn

AlgonquianAnasaziMogollonHohokam

Mixture of Hunter Gathers

and FarmersNew York

3, 2, 1 Three Dietary difference amongst the people of the New

World Two societal differences that existed amongst the Native

Americans One questions you still have


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The First Americans