Chapter 1: Roots of American People

A. Earliest Americans 1. Between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago, glaciers covered most of the world, using water in oceans a. Left land bridge exposed for people/animals to migrate from Asia to N.A. – Bering Strait b. People followed animals from Siberia and moved through North and South America

2. Farming – around 8000 years ago people began growing plants – Mexico a. Farming allowed people to settle, didn’t have to follow animals b. Irrigation – developed as people needed water c. Surplus – extra food, formed as people began to grow crops and were able to trade for other items 1. Cities/civilizations formed

3. Three civilizations – advanced cultures with developed cities, science, industry (writing) a. Mayans – AD – Mexico & Central America 1. Public plazas (squares) lined with pyramids, temples, courts and palaces 2. Developed art, government and written language 3. Most accurate calendar known to man 4. Simply abandoned their cities, unknown.

4. Aztecs – built city of Tenochtitlan at present Mexico City area a. Harsh people believed in many gods, human sacrifice b. Conquered many others, forced taxes c. Eventually beaten by Spanish 5. Incas – Largest empire in 1400’s a. Capital city –Cuzco, vast system of roads built of stones b. Canals to carry water, bridges, metalwork, jewelry, etc.

B. Culture of North America 1. Mound builders – burial shrines, a. MS valley to Appalachian Mountains, 2. Anazasi – cliff dwellers, traders, made baskets and jewelry a. West – UT, CO thru NM 3. Hohokam – dug irrigation canals, traders a. AZ

C. Trade Networks Africa & Asia 1. Trade has always linked people a. Linked Europe to Asia and passed through most of East and Middle East b. Trade led to rise of Islam – founded by Muhammad 1. Quran – sacred book 2. Spread through conquest and trade 3. Arab scholars – made intellectual advances

2. West Africa – a. Ghana, Mali were important trading centers in West Africa that brought people together, introduced Islam b. Mansa Musa – Muslim ruler of Mali, expanded Islam c. Mali taken over by Songhai kingdom

3. East Asia Trade – a. China established trade with other parts of the world b. Great navigators – invented compass, began sailing trade routes c. Silk Road – most important trade route in history 1. Series of roads from China to Europe 2. Traded silks and spices from east with products in west 3. Grew Middle East

D. European Heritage 1. Judeo-Christian traditions – 2 religions shaped beliefs and values in Europe a. Judaism – monotheistic, Old Testament 1. One and only God in heaven, not rulers 2. People not above the law b. Christianity – inspired by Jesus’ teachings 1. Emphasized love, mercy and forgiveness 2. Attractive to many people, spread quick 3. Romans persecute Christians, later accept it

2. Greek and Roman traditions inspire American ideology a. Athens, Greece – direct democracy where every adult male could vote 1. Women, slaves and foreigners couldn’t vote 2. Democracy depended on education – took boys and educated them

b. Rome, Italy – developed traditions in law & government 1. Rome – republic where people choose representatives to vote for them 2. Senate and assembly made laws in Rome 3. Rome – code of laws where everyone was equal, innocent until proven guilty

c. Middle Ages – time of feudalism after Roman Empire fell 1. Catholic church – great power 2. Lords owned land, vassals worked it d. The Crusades – Pope led crusades to take back Holy land 1. Put Europeans in contact with Muslims and different foods/technology

e. Renaissance – time of “rebirth of learning” 1. Printing press invented – more books available 2. New art 3. Nation states emerge f. Reformation – Martin Luther wanted to reform Catholic church – formed Protestantism

g. Age of Exploration – new ideas, peoples and learning/curiousity interested people in exploring outside their country 1. Henry the Navigator – Portuguese Prince a. Center for exploration – mathematics, map- making, navigation taught 2. Vasco de Gama – sailed around tip of Africa to India – important trade route