1. Who “discovered” America?

2. Sec 1: The American Indians

3. The American Indians
Why It Matters The people who first inhabited North and South America found a land rich in resources and varied in geographic features. As they spread out across the land, they developed distinctive ways of living and surviving. Their cultures represent a central part of our heritage and history.

4. The First Americans Migration Map
The American Indians
The First Americans
The 1st humans to live in the Americas.
Traveled down the western coast of North America (40,000 years ago).
Crossed the Bering land bridge during the last ice age (15,000 years ago).
Migration Map
Paleo-Indians
Coastal route theory
Land bridge theory

5. The American Indians
The First Americans
Paleo-Indians were big game hunters who hunted mammoths and giant bison
because how they made and used things can be traced over periods of time

6. The American Indians
The First Americans
Clovis points have been found at kill sites for mammoth, mastodon and bison across the North America
Clovis points are named because the first recorded discovery was by A.W. Anderson who lived in Clovis, NM

7. The American Indians
The First Americans
As the Ice Age ended, Paleo-Indians migrated and adapted to the new climate.
Took place over a long period of time and involved small, independent bands of people
Took place over a long period of time and involved small, independent bands of nomadic people

8. The American Indians
The First Americans
As large animals such as the mammoth disappeared, Native Americans hunted smaller game and ate plants and berries.
Native Americans began to find new food sources by learning to plant and raise crops.
People living near the coast or rivers learned to fish. Settlers formed villages and communities. Some people remained nomadic hunters.

9. The First Americans Never developed a common identity
The American Indians
The First Americans
Never developed a common identity
Each group focused on its own survival
No common language was developed
Due to isolation lost inherited immunities from disease (small pox, tuberculosis)

10. Diverse Cultures Emerge
The American Indians
Diverse Cultures Emerge
The Native Americans became culturally diverse as they adapted to their varying local climates and environments.
By 1492, the American Indians spoke at least 375 distinct languages.

11. The Beginnings of Agriculture
The American Indians
The Beginnings of Agriculture
About 3,500 years ago in central Mexico, American Indians developed three important crops: maize (corn), squashes, and beans.
How does the rise of agriculture lead to civilization?

12. Did not have centralized nations like those in Europe.
The American Indians
What are some of the common cultural traits among early Native American cultures?
Did not have centralized nations like those in Europe.
American Indians owned little private property.
Similar spiritual beliefs.
Similar gender roles.

13. Early American Indian Cultures
The American Indians
Early American Indian Cultures
Activity
Research early American Indian cultures and the geographic region they were located by reading pages 6-9.
The Southwest
The Mississippi River Valley
The Great Plains
Eastern Woodlands

14. Native American Cultures Map
The American Indians
Native American Cultures Map
Turn to page 8 in your textbook to complete the map.
Indicate the following regions: Southeast, Northeast, Plains, Southwest, Great Basin, California, Plateau, Northwest Coast, Subarctic, and Arctic. Use a different color for each region.
Identify the Native American Culture groups in each region. Write the names of the culture groups in the appropriate region. Using a separate sheet of paper is best.
Summarize/Bullet Point the main characteristics of each Native American culture in each region.
Critical Thinking: In what ways do Native American cultures reflect geographic/environmental influences?