Who “discovered” America?

The American Indians Sec 1: The American Indians

Why It Matters The people who first inhabited North and South America found a land rich in resources and varied in geographic features. As they spread out across the land, they developed distinctive ways of living and surviving. Their cultures represent a central part of our heritage and history. The American Indians

The First Americans Paleo-Indians Coastal route theory Land bridge theory The 1 st humans to live in the Americas. Traveled down the western coast of North America (40,000 years ago). Crossed the Bering land bridge during the last ice age (15,000 years ago). Migration Map The American Indians

The First Americans Paleo-Indians were big game hunters who hunted mammoths and giant bison The American Indians

The First Americans Clovis points have been found at kill sites for mammoth, mastodon and bison across the North America The American Indians

As the Ice Age ended, Paleo-Indians migrated and adapted to the new climate. Took place over a long period of time and involved small, independent bands of people The First Americans The American Indians

As large animals such as the mammoth disappeared, Native Americans hunted smaller game and ate plants and berries. Native Americans began to find new food sources by learning to plant and raise crops. People living near the coast or rivers learned to fish. Settlers formed villages and communities. Some people remained nomadic hunters. The American Indians The First Americans

Never developed a common identity Each group focused on its own survival No common language was developed Due to isolation lost inherited immunities from disease (small pox, tuberculosis) The American Indians The First Americans

Diverse Cultures Emerge The Native Americans became culturally diverse as they adapted to their varying local climates and environments. By 1492, the American Indians spoke at least 375 distinct languages. The American Indians

The Beginnings of Agriculture About 3,500 years ago in central Mexico, American Indians developed three important crops: maize (corn), squashes, and beans. The American Indians How does the rise of agriculture lead to civilization?

Early American Indian Cultures Activity Research early American Indian cultures and the geographic region they were located by reading pages 6-9. –The Southwest –The Mississippi River Valley –The Great Plains –Eastern Woodlands The American Indians

Native American Cultures Map 1.Turn to page 8 in your textbook to complete the map. 2.Indicate the following regions: Southeast, Northeast, Plains, Southwest, Great Basin, California, Plateau, Northwest Coast, Subarctic, and Arctic. Use a different color for each region. 3.Identify the Native American groups in each region. Write the names of the Indian groups in the appropriate region. 4.Summarize/Bullet Point the main characteristics of each Native American culture in each region. 5.Critical Thinking: In what ways do Native American cultures reflect geographic/environmental influences? The American Indians

What are some of the common cultural traits among early Native American cultures? Did not have centralized nations like those in Europe. American Indians owned little private property. Similar spiritual beliefs. Similar gender roles. The American Indians