Populating the Americas Development of Native American Culture

Populating the Americas Land bridge (Beringa) existed that connected Eurasia to North America (25,000 – 10,000 years ago) For 15,000 years the Americas are populated. When the glaciers melted, the Americas become isolated from the rest of the world.

Early Life for Native Americans Native Americans were mainly nomads Individuals who moved around to find food. Lived off the land by hunting, fishing, and gathering Consequences of nomadic life: Small population growth No formal gov’t, writing system, or complex religion Everyone is focused on survival needs

Agricultural Revolution (~10,000 BC) Native Americans learn to grow crops– move away from nomadic lifestyle sedentary= stay in one place. Three sisters farming: squash, corn (maize), beans Consequences of this Lifestyle: Population boom due to steady/increasing food supply Specialization of labor As a result formal gov’t, writing system, and religion begin to form

Civilizations begin to form Civilizations Form Civilizations begin to form By 1492* it is estimated that 54 million people lived in the Americas, comprising hundreds of tribes *when Columbus arrived Powerful empires like the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca developed Maya located on Yucatan Peninsula in Central America; 250-900 AD Aztec located in Central Mexico; 1200-1500s AD Inca located around Andes Mountains; 1100- 1500s AD

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Southwest Located along Rio Grande Farming (“Three Sisters” and cotton) along with hunting and gathering Lived in villages—pueblo is Spanish for “village” Houses with multiple stories Homes made of bricks, utilizing the clay soil. Warm, humid climate with minimal rainfall– relied heavily on agriculture.

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Plains Indians Farmed along river valleys—“Three Sisters” plus sunflowers and tobacco Lived in teepees, which could be collapsed for transport to a new location. Hunted buffalo—but there were no horses in the Americas before the Spanish arrived Utilized every part of the buffalo– not just for food. Settled around pueblos to trade during the winter Moderate temperatures good for crops.

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures-Southeastern Indians Movement of Mississippians from large settlements to smaller villages along river valleys City of Cahokia had 25,000 people living in it Built a great mound in the middle of the city Each tribe was divided into smaller clans Hunted animals like deer in the winter Very skilled farmers– three sisters Warm, temperate climate

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Eastern Woodlands Groups such as Algonquin and Iroquois Algonquins lived in wigwams (round, covered in bark) Iroquois lived in longhouses (about 10 families in each) Mixture of farming and hunting Slash-and-burn agriculture Relied heavily on access to water, forests and small animals. Variations of climate, landscape, and natural resources wide variations of culture

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Intermountain and Pacific Northwest Diverse– over 100 tribes; 200+ dialects Small, family-based bands of hunter-gatherers (roots, berries, etc.) Small villages– riverbanks (inland) In the desert, the temperature is extreme temperatures and little rainfall. The mountain ranges it has mild climate and many redwood trees. Northwest: Mild climate Lots of natural resources Proximity to water– seafood Permanent villages (100s of people)