People of the Northeast

Early People Before the 1500s, the only people who lived on the land now called North America were Native Americans.

Even they were immigrants to this land, traveling from Asia across a land bridge and ice sheets that connected the two continents. The people migrated into North American making homes in the mountains, on the plains and near the coasts.

There were two major groups of Native Americans in the Northeast. These tribes were organized according to their language.

The Algonquian were a family of tribes that lived near the Atlantic Coast.

The Iroquois tribes made their homes inland.

Most tribes shared the land and the natural resources wisely. However, at times tribes would clash and fight.

A Plan for Peace Two wise Iroquois leaders convinced five other Iroquois tribes that it would be better to share resources and band together against common enemies. Hiawatha Deganawida

Iroquois Confederation These tribes worked together to create a government that was a model of democracy. All important matters were voted upon. The fifty tribes of the Confederation each had one vote. Decisions had to be unanimous.

“only one body, one head, and one heart.” Does this symbol look familiar to you?

THEN

European Explorers Discover the New World

The Dutch set up a prosperous trading post in New Amsterdam The Dutch set up a prosperous trading post in New Amsterdam. Later to become New York City.

The French explored the northern parts of the Northeast. Quebec City

The English created settlements from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Boston, Massachusetts to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Second Wave From 1860 to 1930 another wave of immigrants arrived in the Northeast.

And the rest of the development of the Northeast is history!