1. PRECOLUMBIAN AMERICA

2. The Southern Hemisphere
Mayan – Advanced civilization with sophisticated culture Aztec – Warlike tribe that conquered the Mayans; harsh religious traditions; Large cities and the im- portance of agriculture Inca – Complex political system stretching over a wide area

3. NORTHERN HEMISPERE
Eastern – North and South both engaged in farming, hunting, gathering and fishing; often
mobile tribes moving every few years; fragile alliances led to lack of unity.
Great Plains – sedentary lifestyle focused on farming (buffalo hunting comes later)
Southwest – arid region led to the construction of large irrigation systems and substantial towns; dwellings were stone and adobe terraced structures (Pueblos)
Great Basin – nomadic tribes that utilized mobility to secure scarce food supplies
Pacific Northwest – Permanent settlements along the coast focused on fishing salmon

4. Impact of Maize cultivation
sedentary lifestyle
Significant population growth
Advanced civilizations with elaborate social customs and rituals
Religious beliefs focused on nature
Women played a powerful role in society and the family in most tribes

5. EUROPEAN INCURSION
Spain and Portugal – brutal treatment of native population in their search for riches
- Encomienda System – failed due to the natives inability to survive
- African Slavery – becomes the answer to Europeans in regard to labor
- The Spanish do try to convert the natives as
they build a series of missions on the frontier

6. France and Britain French and Dutch – - trade alliances
- intermarriage
- imp. of religion
British
- imp. Of agricult.
- need for land
- large populations
- frequent wars

7. COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE - Crops and livestock exchanged between the Old
and new worlds
Impact of horses
Impact of disease

8. EUROCENTRIC VIEW OF THE WORLD
Most Europeans viewed the
natives as savages
- justification for taking
land
- feeling of moral super iority
- led to frequent wars with atrocities committed on both sides