Peopling of the Americas Development of Native American Culture

Populating the Americas ● Land bridge (Beringa) existed that connected Eurasia to North America (25,000 – 10,000 years ago) ● For 15,000 years the Americas are populated. ● When the glaciers melt, the Americas become isolated from the rest of the world.

Early Life for Native Americans ● Native Americans were mainly nomads ● Individuals who moved around to find food. ● Lived off the land by hunting, fishing, and gathering ● Consequences of nomadic life: ● Small population growth ● No formal gov’t, writing system, or complex religion ● Everyone is focused on survival needs

Agricultural Revolution ● Native Americans learn to grow crops– move away from nomadic lifestyle ● Three sisters farming: squash, corn (maize), beans ● Consequences of this Lifestyle: ● Population boom due to steady/increasing food supply ● Specialization of labor ● As a result  formal gov’t, writing system, and religion begin to form ● Civilizations begin to form ● By 1492 it is estimated that 54 million people lived in the Americas, comprising hundreds of tribes ● Powerful empires like the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca developed

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Southwest Located along Rio Grande Warm, humid climate with minimal rainfall Sedentary: Farming– three sisters Lived in villages—pueblo is Spanish for “village” Houses with multiple stories made of clay bricks. Nomadic: Hunter-gatherers Houses made of mud and bark

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Plains Indians ▪ Farmed along river valleys—“Three Sisters” plus sunflowers and tobacco ▪ Lived in teepees, which could be collapsed for transport to a new location. ▪ Hunted buffalo—but there were no horses in the Americas before the Spanish arrived ▪ Utilized every part of the buffalo– not just for food. ▪ Settled around pueblos to trade during the winter ▪ Moderate temperatures  good for crops.

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures-Southeastern Indians ▪ Movement of Mississippians from large settlements to smaller villages (known as hamlets) along river valleys ● City of Cahokia had 25,000 people living in it ● Built a great mound in the middle of the city ▪ Each tribe was divided into smaller clans ▪ Hunted animals like deer in the winter ▪ Very skilled farmers– three sisters, tobacco and sunflower ▪ Warm, temperate climate

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- Eastern Woodlands/Northeast ▪ Groups such as Algonquin and Iroquois ▪ Algonquins lived in wigwams (round, covered in bark) ▪ Iroquois lived in longhouses (about 10 families in each) ▪ Mixture of farming and hunting ▪ Slash-and-burn agriculture ▪ Relied heavily on access to water, forests and small animals. ▪ Variations of climate, landscape, and natural resources  wide variations of culture ▪ Lots of conflict!

A Brief Overview of Tribal Cultures- California/ Plateau and Northwest Intermountain: ▪ Diverse– over 100 tribes; 200+ dialects ▪ Small, family-based bands of hunter-gatherers (roots, berries, etc.) ▪ Small villages– riverbanks (inland) ▪ In the desert, the temperature is extreme temperatures and little rainfall. ▪ The mountain ranges it has mild climate and many redwood trees. Northwest:  Mild climate  Lots of natural resources  Proximity to water– seafood  Permanent villages (100s of people)