Coming Into AmericaGuiding Questions:

What is the Difference Between A Primitive Society and A Civilized

Society?

“But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I

collect as much as possible, and for this purpose I am proceeding solely in quest of

them.”Christopher Columbus

Civilized1. having a high state of culture and

social development; 2. easy to manage or control; well

organized or ordered

Primitive 1. Relating to or occurring at the first stages of

or form of something2. Very simple in design3. With simple technological development not

using or relying on modern technologies to provide comfort an efficiency

Traditional Views• Native Americans Migrated Over the Bering Land

Bridge about 12, 00 years ago• They Lived in Scattered Bands in relatively Low

Numbers• Had so Little Impact on Environment that the

Americas were virtually a Wilderness When Columbus Came

“The Indians, Las Casas says, have no religion, at least no temples...They lack all manner of commerce, neither buying nor selling, and rely exclusively on their natural environment for maintenance.”

—A People’s History of a United States by Howard Zinn

Organized Religion?

Towns? Social System?Large Structures?

No Cities Paved Roads and Large Urban Populations?

Do Primitive Societies Build Apartment Complexes?

SOOOOOO……………….

In 1492, when “Columbus Sailed the

Ocean Blue,” Were Native Americans living in a Primitive Society or

A Civilized Society?http://nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/infinityofnations/