Chapter 1-2 U.S. History Powerpoint

Aztec worship of Tlaloc, their rain god, emphasized the importance of water for agriculture. (Library of Congress) •Based on this image, which crops do you think were most important to the Aztecs? What would the Aztecs have used these crops for? • How have crops impacted the development of America as a nation? Compare how crops were used by the Aztecs to how we use crops today.

The Conquistadores often used raw brutality as they conquered Central and South America. Their activities took a heavy toll on the local native populations until the Catholic Church demanded reform. • What overall impact do you think the conquistadors had on the native populations they encountered? • Would you have supported the conquistadors behavior and treatment towards the natives? Explain why or why not.

This woodcut depicts Christopher Columbus's landing on the island of Hispanola. •What do the body language and actions of both the native peoples and the Europeans convey? • Note the raising of the cross behind Columbus. What does this action tell you about motivations for European exploration?

•How would you characterize European attitudes towards Native Americans as portrayed in this drawing. Note the demonic head in the upper right corner and the demonic nature of the men's faces. What message does this convey? Why do you think Europeans looked at the native tribes as barbaric? What do you think your perception of the native tribes would have been like? This 16th-century drawing depicts Native Americans--described as "savages" by this European observer--roasting their enemies after killing and dismembering them. (Andre Thevet, La cosmographie universelle)

• After looking at Cahokia's layout and organization, do you see any particular advantages in its organization? What does the presence of farms suggest about the inhabitants lifestyles? • What transportation routes do you see? How would this have facilitated trade and travel? • What does the location of the temple mound suggest about the role of religion in Cahokian life? Reconstructed view of Cahokia, the largest city in North America before the European arrival, painted by William R. Iseminger. (Cahokia Mounds Historical Site)

•Do the different-sized points tell you anything about hunting patterns? Compare these hunting tools to hunting tools that are used today. • Do you note any similarities in the design of these points? Compare these hunting tools to hunting tools that are used today. Four Clovis projectile points from sites in present-day New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado in row above a ruler for scale.