The First Americans

The First Immigrants Early peoples Paleo-Indians crossed land bridge over the Bering Sea during the last Ice Age Beringia Paleo-Indians Spread over North & South America Estimated population of 54,000,000 at time of Columbus

Civilization Stable food supply = permanent settlements -> Excess food supply = job specialization Builders, potters, weavers, leader

The Olmec Developed around 1500 BC Known For: Along Gulf of Mexico Earthen temple mounds Earliest American written language Cultural diffusion through trade

The Foundation of Native American Society Civilizations began growing maize around 5000 B.C. in Mexico Allowed for advanced civilizations Called “Archaic Indians”

The Mayans Developed in modern day Guatemala Known for: Astronomy Developed the calendar Math Invented symbol for 0 Declined around 900 Unknown why Originally thought to be peaceful. Later, deciphering writing on temple walls, realize wars with other Mayan city-states and human sacrifice and torture

The Aztecs Largest empire were the Aztecs of Mexico Built large temple complexes Practiced “flower wars” to gain human sacrifices The Aztecs Population of 200,000 at its peak

Indians of North America Pueblos “cliff houses” Southwest U.S. Developed irrigation for crops Anasazi & Hopi

Mississipians Indians of eastern North American called the Mound Builders Built platform earth mounds Flat top earth pyramids inter-connected villages

Eastern North American Native American Culture Eastern Woodland Culture Combination of hunter/gatherer & settle farming Division of labor based upon gender Men hunted (mostly deer) Women farmed

Eastern Woodland Culture Developed the Three Sisters method of farming maize, squash, & beans together Used controlled forest fires to thin underbrush for better hunting

Indian Tribes in America at time of European Contact

The Iroquois Confederacy Only large North American political grouping was the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy Five tribe alliance in New York Mohawk Oneida Onondaga Cayuga Seneca Tuscarora added later (Sixth Nation) Founded by Hiawatha around 1450 Influenced by a solar eclipse

Iroquois Society Families lived together in Longhouses Three Sister farming Traded furs with English & Dutch