American History How it all began, the early days

So … to begin with We all know that the very first people to come to the New World came from Asia across the land bridge that is now the Bering Strait – right? We all know that the very first people to come to the New World came from Asia across the land bridge that is now the Bering Strait – right? Well – some people say that perhaps people of the Pacific Islands may have come over on outriggers early, early on to parts of South America. Well – some people say that perhaps people of the Pacific Islands may have come over on outriggers early, early on to parts of South America.

How did they live? Much like every other civilization we have studied in the past, early Americans were hunters and gatherers and later established agriculture and developed societies. Much like every other civilization we have studied in the past, early Americans were hunters and gatherers and later established agriculture and developed societies. As one would imagine, people would adapt and interact with their environment as they developed their cultures and from here we begin our journey. As one would imagine, people would adapt and interact with their environment as they developed their cultures and from here we begin our journey.

Mesoamerican Cultures The Olmec developed the earliest known civilization around 1200 BC. They are known for their huge stone heads – rounder than Easter Island stone heads – they also built the first pyramids in the new world and used stone in most of their architecture and sculpture. By the time their civilization ended around 400 BC, they had spread their culture throughout the region. The Olmec developed the earliest known civilization around 1200 BC. They are known for their huge stone heads – rounder than Easter Island stone heads – they also built the first pyramids in the new world and used stone in most of their architecture and sculpture. By the time their civilization ended around 400 BC, they had spread their culture throughout the region.

Olmec Culture

Olmec

Maya The Maya were next. They also built pyramids and grew corn and other crops and lived in small villages. By AD 200, the Maya were building great cities with large stone palaces and temples. The Maya were next. They also built pyramids and grew corn and other crops and lived in small villages. By AD 200, the Maya were building great cities with large stone palaces and temples.

Maya Mayas paved large plazas for gatherings and built canals to divert water and created many different art works distinctly Maya. By the 900’s, their society would begin to collapse and historians are still unsure as to why. Mayas paved large plazas for gatherings and built canals to divert water and created many different art works distinctly Maya. By the 900’s, their society would begin to collapse and historians are still unsure as to why.

Maya

The Aztec The Aztec were superior warriors with great military ability. Around 1100 AD the Aztec moved to south central Mexico conquering towns, making alliances and building a large empire controlling a huge trade network. The Aztec were superior warriors with great military ability. Around 1100 AD the Aztec moved to south central Mexico conquering towns, making alliances and building a large empire controlling a huge trade network.

The Aztec In AD 1325, they founded their capital, Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco. It would become the greatest city in the Americas and one of the world’s largest. In AD 1325, they founded their capital, Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco. It would become the greatest city in the Americas and one of the world’s largest.

The Aztecs The island city would need bridges to connect it to the rest of the empire, which they built. Trade and tribute made the Aztecs rich and by the 1500’s, they ruled the most powerful state in the area. Did I mention they practiced human sacrifice? The island city would need bridges to connect it to the rest of the empire, which they built. Trade and tribute made the Aztecs rich and by the 1500’s, they ruled the most powerful state in the area. Did I mention they practiced human sacrifice?

Aztecs

Inca The Inca began as a small tribe in the Andes. They made their capital at Cuzco. They began to expand in the 1400’s and by 1500, the empire stretched along the Pacific coast from Ecuador through Chile. They would become home to 12 million people. They would have a strong central government with a king as the ruler. The Inca began as a small tribe in the Andes. They made their capital at Cuzco. They began to expand in the 1400’s and by 1500, the empire stretched along the Pacific coast from Ecuador through Chile. They would become home to 12 million people. They would have a strong central government with a king as the ruler.

Inca The official language of the Inca was quechua, which is still spoken today. This was not a written language, so records were kept on a system of knotted strings known as quipu. The official language of the Inca was quechua, which is still spoken today. This was not a written language, so records were kept on a system of knotted strings known as quipu.

Inca The Inca are known for their buildings, art and an advanced system of highways that united the empire and along with bridges to connect all parts, made communication possible and easy. The Inca are known for their buildings, art and an advanced system of highways that united the empire and along with bridges to connect all parts, made communication possible and easy.

Inca

Native American Cultures of North America ‘Cross the Border We will visit Native American early cultures at a later date in a special project. For now, it is important to note that hey had varied ways of life, beliefs and basics such as shelter, dress and food sources. Our project in the future will allow each of you to choose a group to research and report on. We will visit Native American early cultures at a later date in a special project. For now, it is important to note that hey had varied ways of life, beliefs and basics such as shelter, dress and food sources. Our project in the future will allow each of you to choose a group to research and report on.

So … Stay tuned next time for … Stay tuned next time for … Europe and The Race to Explore Europe and The Race to Explore