The First Americans Chapter 1, Sections 1 & 2

Early Peoples The first people to enter North America were Asian hunters. The first people to enter North America were Asian hunters. It is estimated they entered North America around 28,000 B.C. It is estimated they entered North America around 28,000 B.C. How did they get here? How did they get here?

The Journey From Asia Ancient Peoples Come to the Americas Ancient Peoples Come to the Americas –30,000 years ago –They arrived during an “Ice Age” when parts of the earth were covered in ice sheets. –Beringia: Land bridge between Siberia and Alaska.

Beringia Today Beringia is known as the Bering Strait. Today Beringia is known as the Bering Strait.

In Search of Hunting Grounds –Early people were hunters and gatherers. –Nomads: individuals who move from place to place in search of food and water. –Crossing the land bridge was known as a migration, a movement of a large number of migration, a movement of a large number of people to a new homeland. people to a new homeland. –Hunters and gatherers spread across North America and as far as South America.

Cause and Effect *Earth enters an Ice Age Hunters from Asia cross into North America People spread into Central America and South America The early Americans create new cultures

End of the Ice Age Ice Age ends around 10,000 B.C. Ice Age ends around 10,000 B.C. - Large animals begin to disappear. - Early Americans forced to hunt deer, birds and rodents. - During this time, early Americans become less nomadic.

The Discovery of Farming Around 7,000 B.C., people living in North America make a huge discovery. Around 7,000 B.C., people living in North America make a huge discovery. - Learned how to farm efficiently -plant and raise an early form of corn called maize. - Agricultural plants such as squash and lima beans follow. - No need to move from place to place. Maize becomes a stable food. - Early communities form. - People learn irrigation techniques. - Surplus of food is formed.

The Growth of Cultures The discovery of agriculture leads to new cultures. The discovery of agriculture leads to new cultures. - Culture: A common way of life (customs). - Communities form and develop common customs, beliefs, ideas and ways to protect themselves.

Cities and Civilizations Long before the arrival of Europeans in the early 1500’s, there were several great civilizations. Long before the arrival of Europeans in the early 1500’s, there were several great civilizations. Civilization: Highly developed societies. Civilization: Highly developed societies.

Advanced Civilizations Ingredients of Civilization Agriculture (Farming) And Industry Religion And Science Politics (Government) Trade

Early American Civilizations Central America/Mexico Central America/Mexico –Maya –Aztec South America South America –Inca North America North America –Mississippian

Mayan Civilization The largest Mayan city was Tikal in present day Guatemala. The largest Mayan city was Tikal in present day Guatemala. Tikal had five pyramids used for government and religious functions. Tikal had five pyramids used for government and religious functions.

Maya Civilization Maya Maya –Located in Guatemala and Mexico –A.D. 250 – A.D. 900 –Reached it’s peak in 700 A.D. –Farmers and hunters –Theocracy: Society ruled by religious leaders –Built very large temples that are still standing today

Mayan Theocracy Believed the gods controlled everything. Believed the gods controlled everything. Mayan priests made the important decisions. They were said to know the wishes of the gods. Mayan priests made the important decisions. They were said to know the wishes of the gods.

Mayan Civilization The Mayan kept accurate records of their religious festivals. The Mayan kept accurate records of their religious festivals. Mayan were skilled astronomers and made a 365 day calendar. Mayan were skilled astronomers and made a 365 day calendar.

Mayan Trade Mayan traders traveled by foot and canoe. Mayan traders traveled by foot and canoe. Traded maize, vegetables, turquoise jewelry, cacao beans. Traded maize, vegetables, turquoise jewelry, cacao beans. Traded in exchange for cotton, cloth, pottery and deer meat. Traded in exchange for cotton, cloth, pottery and deer meat.

Maya –Created 1 st writing system in the Americas –Hieroglyphics: symbols and pictures represent things, ideas and sounds. –Decline: around 900 A.D. Warfare? Warfare? Depleted resources? Depleted resources?

Mayan Hieroglyphics

Aztec Civilization Aztec Aztec –Emerges around A.D –Location: Current day Mexico City. –Society of warriors, merchants, priests, commoners, and slaves. –Very militaristic. Conquered nearly all rival communities and forced taxes: tributes of food and human sacrifices.

Aztec Civilization –Tenochtitlan: Aztec capital. Served as a trading center and attracted thousands of merchants. Built around 1325 A.D.

Aztec Civilization Tenochtitlan was built in the middle of a lake for protection. Tenochtitlan was built in the middle of a lake for protection.

Aztec Civilization Aztecs Aztecs - Aztec society was organized around religion. -Story telling an important part of early religion - Believed human sacrifices were needed to keep the gods pleased. - Montezuma Coronation: 5,000 human sacrifices in one day! Coronation: 5,000 human sacrifices in one day! Decline Decline Europeans arrive in 1500CE Europeans arrive in 1500CE –Disease –War

The Serpent and the Eagle The flag of Mexico pays homage to the Aztec civilization.

Inca Civilization Incas Incas –Located in South America –Expands around 1400 A.D. –Largest of the early American Civilizations –Empire = 2,500 miles big –At the height of the empire, it had about nine million people

Inca Civilization Inca weapons included clubs, spears, slings and the ax. Inca weapons included clubs, spears, slings and the ax.

Inca Civilization Militaristic Militaristic Men between 25 and 50 years old could be asked to serve in the military. Men between 25 and 50 years old could be asked to serve in the military. Technology (roads, terraces, bridges) Technology (roads, terraces, bridges) Built 10,000 miles of stone paved roads ran throughout the empire. Built 10,000 miles of stone paved roads ran throughout the empire. Agriculture Agriculture Grew and traded squash, tomatoes, maize, cotton and potatoes. Grew and traded squash, tomatoes, maize, cotton and potatoes. Capital city was Cuzco. Capital city was Cuzco.

Incan Civilization Incan Civilization Right: Incan suspension bridge Right: Incan suspension bridge Lower left: terraces (planting crops) Lower left: terraces (planting crops) Bottom right: Machu Picchu Bottom right: Machu Picchu

Question Most early civilizations were involved in trade How does trade help enrich a civilization? Most early civilizations were involved in trade How does trade help enrich a civilization?