Pre-Columbian America

Pre-Columbian America How many people inhabited the Americas by the time of Columbus’s voyages in the late 15th century?

Pre-Columbian America 15th century brought dramatic shift in commercial structures. A new avenue of trade A profound change began Columbian Exchange altered… Atlantic World brought huge benefits, but a tremendous cost…

Pre-Columbian time period. First Americans came from Asia Crossed the Bering Strait during the Ice Age Following a food source Gradual migration

Early Human Migrations 1st Migration, 38,000-1800 BCE 2nd Migration, c. 10,000-4,000 BCE 3rd Migration, c. 8,000-3,000 BCE

CULTURE AREAS OF NATIVE AMERICANS

Early Native American Societies Not a single group, but quite diverse 50-90 million people lived in Americas Spread throughout the hemisphere Began farming cir. 9,000 years ago Main crops… Absence of livestock…

Early Native American Societies Geography Great geographical diversity… Made farming impossible in some areas Long distance between arable areas made contact between groups difficult

Early Native American Societies Two main areas of agriculture Mesoamerica- Mexico and Central America Andean Mountain region – along the west coast of S. America Economics Primarily agricultural or hunter gather (depending on region)

Early Native American Societies Society/Culture Largely hierarchical Kinship groups important Animistic religions Some had cities

Natives of Central/South America Most populace areas were in Central and South America Incas and Aztecs Economy still largely Though some… Religiously

Aztecs

Inca

Natives of North America Unlike Aztecs and Inca to the south But… Also had cities such as… Cahokia Hopi and Zuni Pacific Coast… Great Plains… But some

Natives of North America Eastern North America Hundreds of tribes Subsisted on Trade Diversity in region Not a single unified people

Natives Societies Land use: Social relations: Communally shared, right to work/use land No landownership in European sense (not eco commodity) Also, unlike Europeans Social relations: Some distinctions in rank (with some more than others) Generosity…inequality

Discussion Question Given what we have discussed about Native Americans, what do you think Women’s status in these societies was like? Back up your answer!

Natives Societies Social relations (cont) Role of women: (think Hunter Gatherer societies) Most matrilineal Divorce possible Had positions of political/religious significance Even owned land and resources (tools etc)

Conclusion Natives had impressive societies that in many ways rivaled civilizations of Old World Shift to Atlantic World brought tremendous change, often quite disruptive Many changes and events still effect today.