Native American History Theme #3

Pre-Columbian Societies Native Americans likely arrived from Asia via Bering Land Bridge slowly spread throughout Americas over thousands of years divided into hundreds of culturally diverse tribes with many diff languages most lived in semi-permanent settlements with small populations widespread cultivation of crops like corn, beans, squash, and tobacco complex societies did develop in a few regions Pueblos in the Southwest Mound-builder culture in the Mississippi River Valley Mayas and Aztecs in Mesoamerica (Central America) Incas in the Andes Mountains of Peru (South America)

Contact with Europeans the Columbian Exchange caused drastic changes throughout globe exchange of plants, animals, people and culture across both sides of Atlantic New World crops had a dramatic influence on Europe Old World animals revolutionized life in the New World Old World diseases had a disastrous impact on Native Americans Natives suffered severe population declines because they lacked immunity to smallpox and other European diseases Native Americans had no concept of private property fueled generations of disputes with colonists and American settlers political and linguistic differences often kept American Indians from uniting in opposition to colonists and settlers

American Indians and Colonists Iroquois Confederacy was most important Native American alliance 5 tribes formed most important political organization to confront colonists numerous conflicts erupted between Natives and colonists notable conflicts: Pequot War, Anglo-Powhatan Wars, King Philip’s War 1680 Pueblo Revolt against the Spanish in NM was the most successful act of Native resistance to European colonization Natives played a significant role in the French and Indian War 1763 Pontiac’s Rebellion resulted from dissatisfaction with postwar policies King George III responded to Pontiac’s Revolt by issuing Proclamation of 1763

Early U.S. History U.S. defeated a Native coalition in 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers resulting Treaty of Greenville opened much of Ohio region to U.S. settlement Tecumseh and The Prophet tried to organize Native resistance coalition was defeated by William H. Harrison in 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe Tecumseh and many other natives sided with British during the War of 1812 President Jackson strongly supported the 1830 Indian Removal Act decision in Worcester v. Georgia supported Cherokee land claims Jackson ignored the ruling and forced the Cherokee to march Trail of Tears

The Great Plains Indian Wars Plains Indian culture developed from contact with Spanish horses several nomadic tribes that followed buffalo migrations U.S. expansion led to decades of wars with Plains Indian tribes 1876 Battle of Little Big Horn turned public opinion against Plains Indians the Ghost Dance movement intensified U.S. paranoia and fear 1890 Battle of Wounded Knee was last act of armed resistance against U.S. the slaughter of 70 million buffalo effectively ended Plains culture Helen Hunt Jackson aroused public awareness of the wrongs inflicted on Native Americans in her book Century of Dishonor

20th Century Native American History 1934 Indian Reorganization Act repealed the Dawes Act of 1887 restored tribal control of lands and supported the preservation of unique Native American cultures American Indian Movement (AIM) was founded in 1968 sought to achieve self-determination, revive tribal traditions, and to address problems plaguing Native Americans like unemployment and poverty 1975 Indian Self-Determination Act gave reservations and tribal lands greater control over internal programs, education, and law enforcement 1978 Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act addressed issues like unemployment and poverty by improving education