Native Peoples of America to 1500 C.E.

Chapter 1, Boyer

Hiawathamember of Iroquois tribeEndless cycle of violenceFamily threatened, wanders

through forestHas visions, meets holy manIntroduces condolence of

peace to Iroquois tribesLeads to creation of the

League of the IroquoisRepresents a moment in

American History before ColumbusCultural diversity that

existed in Pre-Columbian America

Chapter Focus Questions

What factors prompted the transition from Paleo-Indian to Archaic ways of life among the earliest Americans?

How did the varied environments of the Western Hemisphere shape the emergence of a wide diversity of Native American cultures?

What common values and practices did Native Americans share, despite their vast diversity

First Americans c. 13,000-2500 B.C.E.

Two TheoriesLand bridge

10,500 B.C.E. Last Ice Age Hunters From Siberia

Boat More recent

theory Dated 13,000

B.C.E. Evidence in Chile

10,500 B.C.E.

Paleo- Indians“earliest Americans”Foundation of Native

American lifeHunter/gathers Defined roles for men

and womenTrade/exchange of ideasEnd of Ice Age =

change in way of lifeDramatic changes in

physical environment

Archaic SocietiesChanges in environment = changes

in lifestyleChanges in dietShift to year-round villages

More defined roles for men and women

5000 B.C.E. cultivation of AgricultureBegins in MesoamericaTehucan Indians 3000B.C.E.

Seed specialization Introduction of 1st maize crop

Spread by 2500 B.C.E.Still not significant part of daily diet

Cultural DiversityMesoamerica and South

AmericaIncreased Crop ProductionMaize-based farming

spreadsSurplus leads to tradeDevelopment of

communities Olmec

Urban centers Hereditary rulers

(chiefdoms) Unequal society

Mesoamerica and South America Cont. Development of

Powerful StatesTeotihuacan (2nd-7th

cent.) Lead bloody wars Religious hierarchy Extensive trade

Dominated Modern-day Mexico

Strong political system Massive public works

projects Influences the Maya and

the Aztecs Declined 8th century

Mesoamerica and South America

Mayans Kingdom-states, 7th- 15th centuries Developed:

Calendar Numerical system Hieroglyphic writing codices

Aztecs Overthrew rulers in 1428 Conquering campaign Religious rituals Massive public works projects Capital- Tenochtitlan Based writing and calendar on

Mayans Modified environment for food

production Large trading system

Mesoamerica and South AmericaIncas

AndesCapital- CuzcoDominate

around 1438 C.E.

Ability to grow crops in harsh environment key to expansion

Modified environment

Public works

Revisit: Chapter Focus Questions

What factors prompted the transition from Paleo-Indian to Archaic ways of life among the earliest Americans?

How did the varied environments of the Western Hemisphere shape the emergence of a wide diversity of Native American cultures?

What common values and practices did Native Americans share, despite their vast diversity