The First Americans

The first Americans were organized into tribes. Anthropologists have identified many cultural regions.

The First Americans According to scientists, there were no people in the Americas until the last Ice Age. Between 100,000 and 10,000 years ago a land bridge connected Asia and the Americas. Large animals wandered across the bridge in search of food. Stone age hunters followed. These were the ancestors of the first Americans.

The Six Major Cultural Regions in North America Within each region, the people often shared many similar traditions. Each tribe developed its own religious beliefs, technology, and government. Differing environments helped shape each of the groups in each region. They adapted their way of life according to the dictates of the geography.

The Six Major Cultural Regions in North America 1. Mesoamerican- Mayan, Aztec, Olmec, and Toltec. 2. The Far North- Eskimo and Aleuts. 3. Pacific Coast- Chinook, Yakima, and Serranno. 4. The Southwest- Hopi, Apache, and Comanche. 5. The Plains- Crow, Sioux, Arapaho, and Kiowa. 6. Eastern Woodlands- Huron, Iroquois, Creek, and Seminoles

The Age of Exploration The various nations of Europe were competing with one another for power and control. The nation that was able to gain territory because of exploration would have the upper hand in becoming the most powerful nation on earth. Europeans look to the west (by accident of course) for new land, resources, and markets for their products.

English Claims in North America

Europeans in the Americas Who were the first Europeans to reach the Americas? The Answer: The Vikings were the first Europeans to land, explore, and settle in what is now known as North America. The Story: 1001 A.D. Leif Ericson sets sail for Newfoundland. He and his crew of 35 arrive and decide to stay the winter, they build a small village of simple huts. He names the land Vinland because of an abundance of berries that look like grapes.

European Exploration of the Americas The Spanish, French, and English all sent people to explore the Americas and to claim land for their country. Each had a different plan for the conquest and control of the land. The Spanish were the first of these nations to explore and claim land in the Americas. The Spanish claims were based on the voyages of Christopher Columbus.

Spanish Explorers and their claims for Spain Juan Ponce de Leon- explores Florida in search of the “Fountain of Youth” Vasco Nunez de Balboa- sets out westward across Panama searching for gold and finds the Pacific Ocean (South Sea) Hernado Cortes- conquers the Aztecs in what is now Mexico. (C.A.M.) 1537 Francisco Pizarro- conquers the Incas of Peru. (P.I.P.)

Spanish Explorers and their claims for Spain Hernando de Soto- explores the S.E. from Florida to as far west as Texas. He dies during the journey and is buried in the Mississippi River Francsico Coronado- explored the Southwest as far as present day Kansas in search of the seven cities of gold. He found no riches, but claimed all the land for Spain. He is the 1 st European to see the Grand Canyon.

French claims in North America France’s claims in North America are based on the voyage of Giovanni de Verrazano Jacques Cartier- explores the coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and St. Lawrence River Samuel de Champlain- founded the 1 st lasting French settlement in North America at Quebec.

French claims in North America The French explore and control all the lands in S.E. Canada, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi river all the way to New Orleans by The French called this area New France. It is sparsely populated. (2, ’s) Most French settlers become fur trappers and traders.

French claims in North America The French get along very well with the Native Americans. (fur gathers, guides, etc…) Taught Native Americans new ways to fight (Iroquois) and introduced them to Christianity. (did not force it upon them, at least at first) The French heritage is still evident today, especially in the French speaking province of Quebec.

English Claims in North America Based on the voyage of John Cabot, he sails as far as Newfoundland. After this voyage it will be almost 100 years before the English establish a lasting settlement in the North America.

Early English Settlements 1578 & Sir Humprey Gilbert makes two attempts, both fail, 2 nd voyage Gilbert dies Sir Walter Raleigh sends a group to Roanoke Island. John White is named govenor “The Lost Colony” The English defeat the Spanish Armada, and prevents Spain from stopping other Europeans from starting settlements in North America.